Traffic on Suvorov Square in the historical center of St. Petersburg was paralyzed due to the fire of the retro tram "Dostoevsky" on June 12, 2025.
According to 78.ru, the fire broke out on the roof of the tram as it passed the monument to Alexander Suvorov.
According to eyewitnesses, the tram stopped at a traffic light in front of the Trinity Bridge. After that, it twitched a couple of times and did not go any further. Five minutes later, sparks began to fall from the ceiling in the back area.
Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations promptly arrived at the scene. The fire caused significant traffic difficulties in the city center.
According to the "Yandex Maps" service, by 16:26 the traffic was complicated not only on the square itself, but also on Millionnaya Street, Palace Embankment and the embankment of the Swan Canal.
The fire occurred at 16:04. The regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations previously reported that the fire spread over 2 square meters and was extinguished at 16:18.
The damaged "Dostoevsky" was towed to the park by a tram of a similar model, which was removed from the route.
Tram "Dostoevsky": characteristics
The "Dostoevsky" tram (model 71-431R), manufactured by Uraltransmash, was created specifically for the historical center of the city. Its appearance is stylized as Leningrad trams of the 1950s and 60s, while it implements modern technologies: an intelligent driver assistance system, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, as well as a navigation screen with tourist information.
The first "Dostoevsky" arrived in St. Petersburg in the fall of 2023, and by December 2024, 41 such trams were already running in the city.
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