site.btaLack of Victims, Injuries in Voden Fire Means Response on Site Was Adequate - Caretaker Interior Minister Stoyanov

The fact that there are no victims or injuries means that the response of all the people who were on site was adequate, caretaker Minister of Interior Kalin Stoyanov said in response to a journalist's question about the wildfire in the southeastern village of Voden, which broke out on Wednesday and forced the evacuation of the local population there. Stoyanov, together with Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev and Social Policy Minister Ivaylo Ivanov, visited the village of Otets Paisievo, one of the most affected by the fires.

Data from the General Directorate of Fire Safety and Civil Protection of the Ministry of Interior show that 184 fires were extinguished over the past 24 hours and firefighters responded to 245 reported accidents.

It was an outbreak from the previous day, initially there was no threat to the settlement, Stoyanov said. Due to a change in wind direction, the entire village was suddenly enveloped by flames on all sides, the Minister stressed. People were evacuated, he added.

"We're working here with the two Czech helicopters, on the territory of the village of Voden, Yambol region, we're working with the military helicopter, as well as with a Turkish helicopter. But a fire cannot be put out with helicopters alone," Stoyanov said. He thanked Turkyie for their help, for responding very quickly and for their support. They were actually at the border area within a few hours, as it is about 10 km from the village closest to the fire.

"They have extinguished a large part of the terrain, at the moment their equipment is not being used, but now we have agreed with the fire chief, Chief Commissioner Dzhartov, that we will involve them again, they are on standby and sitting on the border, Stoyanov reported.

Asked whether some of the fires in the country were deliberately caused and whether there were any arrests made, Minister Stoyanov said that in such situations the most important thing is to put out these fires and then think about criminal prosecution. "My opinion is that it is a matter of carelesesness and negligence of individuals," the Interior Minister said.

Commenting the early warning system for disasters, Kalin Stoyanov said that this is one of the measures that should be included the orders declaring a state of emergency. However, what is typical for the terrain of the village of Voden is that during the Wednesday fire mobile operators had no coverage and there was no electricity.

Kalin Stoyanov denied that there is a shortage of firefighters in the country at the moment. He said legislation will be amended and 202 additional firefighters will be appointed so that the fire brigade teams can be increased from two to three people. This is going to happen and it is a question of increasing the available staff, not a shortage, Kalin Stoyanov stressed.

There is no shortage, we have enough resources and forces, as well as enough help from forest officers, military, volunteers.

Commenting the demands for his resignation by Vazrazhdane and Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, Stoyanov said he has lost count on how many times he has been asked to resign. "It's a sad story, I can't comment on their demands right now. I will not resign," Stoyanov said. He said these are "people who have only seen fire on a matchstick, but are saying what and how must be done how."