site.btaPre-Trial Proceeding Launched after Wildfire Erupts near Trakia Motorway

Pre-trial proceedings have been launched at the Septemvri Regional Police Station under the supervision of the Pazardzhik Regional Prosecutor's Office, the Pazardzhik Interior Ministry Regional Directorate reported on Friday, after a wildfire broke out near the 69th kilometre of the Trakia Motorway on Thursday.

As part of the investigation, procedural and investigative measures are carried out to establish the causes of the fire, as well as the total area affected by the blaze. Investigators are also determining the extent of the damage caused to vineyard owners and the forest fund.

Work to fully extinguish the fire continues. Fire crews from across the region, volunteers and forestry officials are working at the scene. Operations are coordinated by the Director of the Fire Safety and Civil Protection Regional Directorate - Pazardzhik, Commissioner Angel Angelov. Isolated pockets of fire continue to be discovered within the fire’s perimeter and are being extinguished manually. The teams will remain on duty throughout the night.