site.btaExplosions in Burning Fireworks Depot Kill One, Wound Severely Another but Cause Little to None Air Pollution

Explosions in a burning fireworks depot near Gara Elin Pelin, 26 km east of Sofia, left one dead and wounded severely a second person. It started around 18:00 hrs on Thursday and continued for over 12 hours during the night to Friday. The victim is a 49-year-old man and his 20-year-old daughter is in hospital fighting for her life. By 16:00 hrs on Friday, the local authorities said that the situation had been put under control.

There was heavy police presence in the area. Over ten fire engines and water trucks were rushed to the site. Service persons and helicopters were also dispatched. Police drones monitored the area throughout the night.

Some of the residents of Gara Elin Pelin spent the night in their cars and others with relatives. 

A partial state of emergency was declared for the villages of Gara Elin Pelin and Novi Han.

The authorities ordered an evacuation but the order was subsequently cancelled and people were allowed to go back home. They were instructed to stay alert.

An investigation is looking into the possible causes of the fire. It was assigned to the National Investigative Service and is being supervised by the Sofia Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Five investigators were sent immediately to the site. 

Emil Yordanov from the management of the company that owns the depot, Enigma OOD, told BTA that they have no idea what may have caused the fire. He also said that they have never had such accidents before.

In the early afternoon, the Sofia Region Health Inspectorate said there are no health hazards for the people living near the site of the blasts.  Measurements showed a negligible increase of particulate matter in the early hours of Friday. The readings for CO2, CO, NO, NO2 and O3 are below the maximum permissible levels.

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev said that the Sofia Municipality has deployed an air quality measuring station to Gara Elin Pelin. The fire risk near Sofia has raised concerns about potential air quality degradation. However, measurements indicate that pollution levels, even at their peak, remained within normal limits and are currently under control, Terziev said.

Speaking to reporters in Paris where he is visiting for the official start of the Summer Olympics, President Rumen Radev said he expects a fast investigation of the fire.