Russian skaters in narrow escape from fire

18 Sep, 2007 16:44 / Updated 17 years ago

Two of Russia's top figure skaters have escaped from a fierce fire in the centre of the South Korean capital. Evgeny Plushchenko and Aleksey Yagudin were in a stadium getting ready for a show when the roof caught fire.

The phone video taken by Plushchenko’s agent shows the figure skaters making their escape. While the two were warming up they heard the sirens go off, and then noticed the roof was on fire. They didn’t even have time to take off their skates. An investigation by authorities suggests the fire was caused by a lit cigarette. The incident had a positive side to it, however.  Plushchenko and Yagudin, who are arch-rivals, were able to make peace as they helped each other out of the burning building.