Ozon sees no significant risks to operations after warehouse fire (updated)

Ozon Holdings

04/08/2022 13:48

(Adds detail)
    MOSCOW, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Russian e-commerce company Ozon
 OZON.O  said on Thursday it was still assessing the economic
damage from a huge fire at its warehouse near Moscow, but that
there were no significant risks to its liquidity and operational
activities.
    At least one person was killed and 13 injured in the blaze,
the RIA news agency quoted a source in the emergency services as
saying on Wednesday.  urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nL1N2ZF11Q
    Ozon said on Wednesday it had evacuated more than 1,000
warehouse employees, with 12 having to seek medical assistance.
Two employees were taken to hospital and one had been
discharged, it said on Thursday.  
    "Unfortunately, nothing is known yet about the fate of the
two people who were in the warehouse at the time of the fire,"
Ozon said. "We are in touch with their loved ones. We want to
believe in a miracle." 
    The blaze covered an area of 55,000 square metres at a
fulfilment centre north west of Moscow, where Ozon handles and
processes thousands of products. The company has stepped up
capacity at other distribution centres, it said. 
    Ozon said goods and equipment in the warehouse were insured
for up to 11 billion roubles ($182.6 million). 
    "Ozon's liability is also insured in the case of harm to
life, health and property of third parties for up to 1 billion
roubles," the company said. 
    Ozon said it was working with authorities to establish the
cause of the fire. RIA had reported that emergency services were
considering arson as the likeliest cause. 

($1 = 60.2500 roubles)

 (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Jan Harvey and Jane Merriman)