The traditional burning of a giant Maslenitsa scarecrow in Kingisepp, Leningrad region, almost got out of control on Sunday, as the fire nearly scorched one of the workers who lit it.
The scarecrow lit up as festival workers were using torches to set it on fire. One worker jumped out of the way apparently just in time to escape being seriously burned.
According to news reports, the man was able to avoid injury in the incident.
The week-long Maslenitsa celebration of festivities precedes the most significant fast of the Orthodox year, Lent, which also commemorates the coming of spring.