site.btaInterior Minister, Senior Officials Visit EMCO Depot Fire Site

Minister of Interior Ivan Demerdzhiev and senior officials were at the scene of the fire near EMCO's ammunition depots outside Gorni Varpishta on Saturday.

Others at the scene in Dryanovo Municipality, Gabrovo Region, included Acting Interior Ministry Chief Secretary Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, Fire Safety and Civil Protection General Directorate Director Chief Commissioner Aleksandar Dzhartov and EMCO Belitsa Production Unit Director Slavcho Dimiev.

Firefighters and police are at the scene, along with an air quality monitoring station. Road traffic is partially restricted because police have cordoned off the area. No flames or smoke are visible. A briefing is due to take place, with Gabrovo District Prosecutor Tihomir Petkov also expected to attend.

Gabrovo Regional Governor Kristina Sidorova said on Friday night that there were reports of a fire at an EMCO ammunition depot near Gorni Varpishta. She said there were no reports of fatalities.

The BG Alert warning system was activated. Employees had been evacuated, the plant's manager said. The Interior Ministry said on Friday night that residents of nearby settlements were not in danger. Police said the area had been cordoned off and the nearest settlement was more than a kilometre from the site.