site.btaFirefighters Contain Blaze at Ammunition Depot Near Belitsa

Commenting on the fire at an ammunition depot near the village of Belitsa, Aleksandar Dzhartov, Director of the General Directorate for Fire Safety and Civil Protection, said on Tuesday morning that the night had passed calmly, with two firefighting teams working throughout the night on the eastern and western fronts of the fire and that the blaze could currently be considered under control.

As a result of Monday’s explosion, fragments may have fallen within a radius of around 500 metres, Dzhartov said. There is no risk to nearby populated areas, he stressed. Temporary flare-ups may occur in some areas, but the fire has been contained. Three firefighting teams will remain on site on Tuesday, with additional teams ready to be deployed if necessary.

Access to the site will not be permitted until 24 hours have passed. Authorities will wait for authorization from the prosecuting magistracy. At this stage, firefighters are not expected to enter the facility, Dzhartov said. According to him, the most recent explosion occurred at around 12:30 p.m. yesterday (or 2:30 p.m.), and a 24-hour countdown has begun.