A mansion built in the 18th century is on fire in downtown St. Petersburg, the press service of the Russian Emergencies Ministry told TASS.

Designed by architect Ferdinand Miller, the mansion is also known as the Bremmer House. The fire has affected 2,000 square meters of the building and has been classified as a third-alarm fire (out of a possible five), the press service noted.

According to its statement, 125 firefighters and 25 pieces of equipment were extinguishing the fire, which has started to engulf a nearby building as well.

Video, photos: Valentin Yegorshin/TASS