Explosion, Fire, Blackout - St. Petersburg, Russia

There are reports of a loud explosion with a bright flash, just prior to a large section of St. Petersburg, Russia plunged into a large-scale electrical blackout.  The main airport is also blacked-out.   Fires are burning uncontrolled at this hour.

Fires are burning in the city, but it is not yet known if they are related to the explosion and blackout.

Reports also coming in claiming people are stuck in elevators and large parts of the city have no running water.