A total of 67 people have been killed in...

"In the past 24 hours, a total of 589 fires have occurred in Russia, including 479 fires in residential buildings. A total of 67 people were killed and 144 injured as a result, 77 people were rescued," the source said.

During last year"s New Year celebrations, a total of 815 fires were registered in Russia, resulting in 99 deaths.

Russia has an appalling fire-safety record. According to the country"s emergency services, 15,165 people died in fires across the country in 2008, including 584 children. In the United States, with more than twice the population, the figure is around 3,400 deaths a year.

President Dmitry Medvedev ordered nationwide fire safety checks after the deadly December 5 fire in a nightclub in the west Urals city of Perm that has claimed over 150 lives, with many victims still in intensive care.

MOSCOW, January 1 (RIA Novosti)