Fireworks warehouses on fire: 150 people evacuated from the nearby village

About 150 people were evacuated from the village of Gara Elin Pelin, because of the fire in the fireworks warehouses in the area.

Fireworks warehouses near Elin Pelin have been burning for 5 hours

"The local people have not expressed much desire to evacuate to the places designated by the Bulgarian Red Cross, but have preferred to go and stay with relatives," Sylvia Arnautska, district governor of Sofia region, told BNT.

For the time being, there is no need for help, the governor said. All institutions are in place, absolutely all authorities are organised - police, fire fighitng, military, a task force has been set up, which is constantly monitoring the situation and adequate measures are being taken, at least for the time being.

People will receive a new warning from BG Alert early warning system even if it is at night, said Sylvia Arnautska in response to a question whether the system can be activated again if necessary, even at night.

By order of caretaker Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Ivaylo Ivanov, an organisation has been set up for the Centre for Human Resource Development and Regional Initiatives to receive, if necessary, residents of the village of Gara Elin Pelin who will be evacuated because of the fire in the warehouse for fireworks and pyrotechnics, the department said on its Facebook page.

The hotel part of the centre, which is located in the capital's Kremikovtsi district, is ready to receive 30 people. Employees of the Social Assistance Agency are on site and are in constant contact with the mayor of the municipality of Elin Pelin and are ready to provide support to the people.