Ilya Bykov and Rostislav Krylov could face the sack for taking this photograph (Picture: CEN)

These two firefighters could be looking for new jobs soon after taking this picture.

Inside, 17 people were killed as the blaze ripped through the shopping centre.

Ilya Bykov, 30, and Rostislav Krylov, 28, were called to the scene where another 55 people were seriously injured including two police officers and two other emergency workers.


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The picture was uploaded onto VKontakt, Russia’s version of Facebook.

Yegor Tokaryev wrote under the picture: ‘Christ! People are dying in there and these men are smiling and taking photos!! They are there to save lives.’

Svetlana Kapustina wrote: ‘It makes me sick to think that while those poor people were burning to death these two were treating it as some sort of joke. Shame on them.’



Now authorities say they are looking into the photos and may take disciplinary steps.

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A spokesman for the Regional Emergency Situations Department said: ‘Most to the emergency workers called to the scene did their job competently and efficiently.

‘These two are not characteristic of those who work hard every day, tirelessly saving lives.

‘We are looking into the circumstances behind the photo and if it is found that the actions of these two firemen put people’s lives at risk they shall be fired and criminal proceedings brought against them.’