Russian NYE revellers watch in horror as 80-foot Christmas tree becomes towering inferno
NEW YEAR celebrations ended in calamity in Russia after an 80-foot Christmas tree erupted in a great inferno during a festive concert.
SIBERIAN TIMES
Thousands of revellers attending the festivities in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk watched in horror as the devastating blaze in the city square destroyed the tree in minutes.
The attendees were warned to keep clear as the Soviet-era music kept blaring from a festive concert.
The blaze took place in Lenin Square in the Sakhalin island capital.
Temperatures were below zero at a perishing -6C, but the plastic burned with immense intensity and within minutes there was only a metal frame intact.
Related articles
Firefighters were called but the tree was destroyed by the time they arrived.
Videos of the event went viral along with jokes about a hot New Year party in the Russia Far East.
An investigation is underway into the cause of the fire.
But despite the horror, the New Year was toasted successfully in a more traditional fireworks display in the city and across Russia.
New Year's Eve fireworks: London Eye erupts in colour as Britain welcomes 2018
Mon, January 1, 2018THE LONDON Eye erupted into a stunning display of colour as fireworks shot out from the iconic structure and brought in 2018 for Britons
Revellers along the banks of the River Thames were treated to a stunning sight
Revellers across the world are forgetting the turmoil of the past year to cheerfully welcome 2018 to the sound of music and fireworks.
The new year slowly crept in from the far east, kicking off first in Samoa and Christmas Island in Australian territory.
Bells have since rung across Hong Kong and other parts of China when the clocks struck midnight at 4pm UK time.
A mesmerising display of multi-coloured fireworks broke out over Victoria Harbour to the sound of Auld Lang Syne sung in English and Chinese.
В Южно-Сахалинске Масленица... ������ pic.twitter.com/6flUwbZhZo
— Stepan K. (@XamuSt) 31 December 2017
The London Eye erupted in fireworks after Big Ben struck midnight. The sky sparkled with colours of red, blue, pink and green in the city's largest New Year's Eve firework display ever.
The UK saw huge counter-terror operations take place across the UK to prevent any potential disasters.
The SAS patrolled tourist hotspots to take out any potential terror threat during New Year festivities.
SIBERIAN TIMES
Special forces monitored crowds in London’s Trafalgar Square, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Edinburgh as they let in the New Year.
Snipers were equipped with a Barrett Light .50 rifle, which can stop a vehicle at almost a mile.
Shooting vehicles being used as weapons by terrorists is considered to be one of the most effective ways of preventing any potential attack.
SIBERIAN TIMES
As well as SAS teams being present, there will also be armed police on patrol along with covert officers and dog units.
The Metropolitan Police said there was no specific threat but urged people to remain vigilant.
