JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: To Russia now where the sub disaster has been followed by another. This one in Moscow, where fire engulfed a giant television tower. It's finally out, but despite dramatic rescue attempts, at least two people were killed: a firefighter and another person who had been trapped in an elevator. Nearly 50 million Moscow-area residents lost their television signal, many worrying that the nation was in collapse. CNN Moscow bureau chief Jill Dougherty has more.</s>JILL DOUGHERTY, CNN MOSCOW BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): For exhausted firefighters, it's been a battle just to keep the blaze from spreading. Flames followed electrical cables from the top of the giant tower down toward the bottom. Firemen cut those cables and put in place asbestos blankets, but the flames ate right threw them. Some of the men had to haul hoses and equipment up 30 stories.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): Please leave me alone. I need a break.</s>DOUGHERTY: The fire has knocked out most TV networks broadcasting to the Russian region. The government is looking for alternative means of broadcasting. Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin says the fire has revealed the dire situation vital installations and Russia are in.</s>PRES. VLADIMIR PUTIN, RUSSIA (through translator): This last emergency shows the state of our vital establishments and the state of our whole country.</s>DOUGHERTY: As Muscovites watched the TV tower burn, many of them, like Kiril (ph), agree with the president.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): It would be a shame if the tower falls over or is unusable. It's a symbol of Moscow. I was born in this neighborhood and have been looking at it every day of my life.</s>DOUGHERTY (on camera): For nearly 40 years, Ostankino Tower was a symbol of Moscow and of Russia's scientific prowess. Now, that pride seems to be going up in smoke. Jill Dougherty, CNN, Moscow.
Muscovites Fear Nation in Collapse After Tower Fire Knocks Out TV Signal, Kills 2