site.btaUPDATED Fire Extinguished in Svilosa Chemical Plant in Svishtov

A fire broke out in the Svilosa chemical plant in Svishtov around 11 a.m. on Monday. The fire was extinguished, and the situation is now under control, the Interior Ministry’s Regional Directorate in Veliko Tarnovo told BTA.

One person suffered injuries and has been treated in hospital following an explosion in a sodium chlorate plant in Svilosa, Svishtov Mayor Gencho Genchev told BTA. The man is an employee of the company's fire service department. The man has slash wounds on his face from broken glass. His injuries are not serious, and no hospitalization is required, Genchev added.

Two more people have minor injuries, they are at the accident scene and continue their aid in dealing with the situation.

Earlier, the Interior Ministry said that all employees have been evacuated. There is no evidence of any air pollution hazard. Firefighting teams have been dispatched until the situation is completely dealt with. The Interior Ministry has no record of environmental contamination, either.

Svilosa CEO Mihail Kolchev confirmed that the fire was extinguished, and an inventory damage report will be made on Tuesday. An inspection of the sodium chlorate plant is underway. The facilities, which are still at a high temperature, are being cooled to prevent fire reignition. Kolchev also confirmed that an employee of the company's fire service department, who was involved in the extinguishing along with the firefighting teams, was injured. The reason for the accident is yet unknown, Kolchev added. Svilosa cannot resume operations without its sodium chlorate plant.

Maya Radeva, Director of the Veliko Tarnovo Regional Environment and Water Inspectorate, said that a mobile laboratory of the Executive Environment Agency will check the air quality in the area later Monday. There is no danger to the population, Radeva said. The enterprise has suspended production activities immediately after the accident to avoid leakage of harmful gases from the facilities, she added.

Commenting on the accident, caretaker Interior Minister Kalin Stoyanov said that the explosion in the Svilosa chemical plant occurred while loading and unloading sodium chlorate, which was highly flammable.