More than 15 shops have been burnt after a powerful fire occurred inside a construction, repair and autoparts market in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi last night.
Up to 150 firefighters tried to tackle the fire that broke out at the Eliava Market in Tbilisi’s Didube district late on Sunday evening.
It is estimated that a total of 2,300 m2 caught on fire. A representative from Georgia’s Emergency Management Agency, Davit Gelashvili, said that mainly car wheels and paints were damaged.
Four people, including one firefighter, suffered minor injuries. Reportedly, three of them were provided medical care on site while one was taken to hospital.
Tbilisi Mayor David Narmania said that most of the businesses at the market did not have their goods insured. He added an investigation has been launched and before it finishes it is too early to say who was responsible.
Tbilisi City Hall issued a statement early this morning, saying that after the loss is assessed, the Revenue Service will free the shopkeepers from the financial burden for the goods that have been burnt.