Pro-Russian separatists accused Ukrainian forces of bombing a brewery in the city of Donetsk in the disputed region of the same name in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday, causing a fire and leaking toxic ammonia, DPA and Reuters reported on Thursday, citing local authorities.

08:33 The fire at the Donetsk brewery in the Kalininsky district of the city was caused by Ukrainian artillery fire, and poisonous gas spread over an area of ​​2 kilometers, the territorial defense of Donetsk separatists reported on Wednesday.

Residents were asked to stay at home and close windows. Ammonia, known for its pungent smell, is used as a coolant in brewing.

Heavy fighting regularly rages around Donetsk, the largest city in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, just a few kilometers from what has been the main frontline between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists since 2014.

The city of Donetsk has been controlled by pro-Russian separatists since 2014, but the Ukrainian army continues to hold most of the region of the same name around it.

Three civilians were killed on Wednesday in Donetsk as a result of Ukrainian shelling, separatists reported. The information cannot be independently verified, the DPA notes.

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Pro-Russian separatists have accused Ukrainian forces of bombing a brewery in the occupied city of Donetsk, which killed one person and triggered an ammonia leak, Interfax reported Thursday.

The Emergencies Ministry of the self-proclaimed Russian-backed Donetsk People’s Republic said a shell hit an ammonia line late at night, causing a fire that at one point spread to 600 square meters.

Reuters pictures from the scene show flames lighting up the sky over part of the city, as well as masked firefighters. One image shows a body lying on the ground. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. (Agerpress)