site.btaCause of Elin Pelin Fireworks Depit Fire, Blasts Still Unclear

At a news briefing on Thursday, Sofia District Prosecutor Nataliya Nikolova said that the prosecuting magistracy’s investigation is still looking at various versions for what caused the fire and the explosions in the fireworks depot in Elin Pelin Municipality in end-July.

So far, eight inspections of the accident scene have been carried out. More than 30 witnesses were questioned, she explained.

The authorities are investigating if the fire was caused accidentally, deliberately or occurred after an act of negligence, Nikolova said, adding that conclusions will be made when all the witnesses are questioned, and the expert reports are prepared.

Sofia Deputy District Prosecutor Nikolay Popov said that the two people whose bodies were found in the depot died from blast injuries. Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated for causing death by negligence while performing a legally regulated activity, he added.

On July 25, a fire in a fireworks depot near the village of Gara Elin Pelin triggered a series of explosions. The accident caused the death of a total of four people. Some 70 houses in the village were damaged during the explosions, Elin Pelin mayor Ivaylo Simeonov told BTA.