In November 1978 Mikaela was shooting a film in the city of Ordzhonikidze. On November 7, the whole crew went to town and she was left alone in an unheated house, where she lived with other filmmakers. She was tired and decided to lie down and keep warm, she turned on the lights - small and large spotlights - covered her head with a blanket and fell asleep. During the night, the blanket slipped on a hot lamp and caught fire. Poisoned by carbon monoxide in her sleep, she could not escape - she badly burned her legs. When the door was opened and she was found, the fire spread from a draft. She was rushed to Moscow. The best doctors fought for her life, but all attempts to help her were unsuccessful and a week later she died at the age of 41.
