Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

Resident cats die in Hermitage fire

Resident cats die in Hermitage fire
Copyright 
By Euronews
Published on
Share Comments
Share Close Button
Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Copy to clipboard Copied

A fire at St Petersburg's Hermitage museum has harmed one of its oldest collections - its resident cats.

A fire at St Petersburg’s Hermitage museum has harmed one of its oldest collections – its resident cats.

The Russian state museum was evacuated when a fire broke out around midday on Friday (September 8). No one was hurt but several cats who live in the basement were killed.

The cats first took up residence in the Hermitage in 1775, when it was still a royal palace. Empress Elizabeth introduced them to help catch mice.

Today about 50 cats live in the museum. They have a press secretary, three caretakers, their own kitchen and even a small hospital.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share Comments

Read more

Ukrainian drone strike injures seven in Russia's Tver, causes fire, evacuation

Latest US deportations to Russia spark fears over draft notices and FSB intimidation

Russia terminates military agreements with Portugal, France and Canada