4 people hospitalized after Moscow metro fire

MOSCOW — Authorities say that parts of Moscow’s metro are shut down after a fire at a station close to the Kremlin injured dozens of people.

The Emergencies Situations Ministry said in a statement that the fire started after a power cable at the Okhotny Ryad station in central Moscow caught fire during the morning rush hour on Wednesday. The fire was soon put out.

The ministry said more than 30 people sought medical help and four were hospitalized. Most of them suffered from smoke inhalation.

As fire fighters were putting out the fire, authorities closed one of the metro lines that cuts through central Moscow.

Eyewitnesses say central Moscow streets were thronged with crowds who ended up walking to work.