A hero saved a severely burned woman from a blazing tower block after a massive gas explosion ripped through the top floor of an 18-storey building.
The explosion tore apart the upper level of a multi-storey block in the city of Stavropol, southern Russia, on the morning of Wednesday, 21st May.
Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said the blast was likely caused by a domestic gas leak, and a criminal investigation has been launched.
The roof-level inferno left one woman hospitalised in a moderate condition, and two other people, including a child, were treated and discharged.
The woman was rescued by Magomed Zaipullaev, a local man and military veteran who happened to be passing by.
Magomed was on his way to work when he heard a deafening explosion.
The photo shows the destroyed building after the explosion at a multi-storey building in Stavropol, Russia on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Note: Ministry of Emergency photo. (Newsflash/NX)
He said: "I ran to the entrance. On the way in, I met a man with his family. He said he had a child at home and opened the door for me. He ran to his floor, and I ran further up."
As he tried to reach the top floor, the fearless man banged on every door from the 14th floor upwards, urging people to flee the building.
Stavropol resident Magomed Zaipullaev saves the resident of the house where the gas explosion occurred in Stavropol, Russia, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
He reached the 18th floor where flames had already consumed the flat believed to be the source of the blast.
Unable to enter, he turned to a neighbouring apartment where a couple were packing and shouted for them to evacuate.
On his way back down, Magomed found a woman in shock and with serious burns.
He carried her down from the 6th or 7th floor in his arms and handed her over to emergency responders at the scene.
Police and medics were already waiting as the building was evacuated and cordoned off.
Stavropol resident Magomed Zaipullaev saves the resident of the house where the gas explosion occurred in Stavropol, Russia, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Note: Private photo. (Newsflash/NX)
Magomed was praised as a hero by local and regional officials for his bravery.
Governor Vladimirov confirmed the fire had been brought under control and that the building had been disconnected from utilities.
Mayor Ivan Ulyanchenko added that more than 50 vehicles parked near the building were also damaged by the blast.
Shockwaves from the explosion smashed windows in the building opposite and caused widespread damage across the area.
Aftermath from the explosion at a multi-storey building in Stavropol, Russia on Wednesday, May 21, 2025. Note: Screenshot from video. (Newsflash/NX)
Residents unable to return home have been temporarily housed in local hotels.
Russia’s Investigative Committee is probing potential breaches into safety regulations.
Governor Vladimirov has ordered the restoration of the building within two weeks and promised compensation for victims.
He also said laws could be changed to help car owners whose vehicles were destroyed in the explosion.
(MJ Leidig/newsX)