Thousands freezing in Russian city

The area has already been hit by two pipeline accidents

The Russian authorities say thousands of people have been left without heating in freezing temperatures in the northern city of St Petersburg, after a water pipeline collapsed.

The Emergencies Ministry said the breakdown in the Frunzensky district affected 156 buildings, including kindergartens, schools and health clinics.

There were no details as to what caused the accident.

Repair crew say heating will be restored quickly

Traditional Soviet urban heating systems are based on water being heated up locally and pumped through pipes into each block of flats.

Russian public television television showed pictures of workers repairing the pipeline and a flooded road.

Third accident

Forecasts put today's temperatures at between -1C and -7C.

The television said this was the third heating pipeline accident this month in Frunzensky district.

Maintenance crews say heating will be restored by this evening.

Eleven apartment blocks are also without heating in the Nevsky district after a similar accident.