Fire at Tbilisi’s Varketili market extinguished, no fatalities

A fire at the open-air market located on Shuamta Street in Tbilisi’s Varketili district has been extinguished thanks to the efforts of 130 firefighters and rescuers as well as 25 units of firetrucks, announces the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The fire broke out at the Varketili market last night.  

As soon as the report was received at the Public Safety Management Center 112, up to 130 firefighters and rescuers as well as 25 units of firefighting vehicles were deployed to the site in the shortest period of time”, reads the press release published by the ministry.

The fire spread to the nearby warehouses. According to preliminary information, clothing and other items for sale caught fire. Up to 4,000 square meters of storage booths were burnt out.

There was a danger of the fire spreading to the gas station, however, as a result of the timely response of the fire-rescuers, the threat of an explosion was completely neutralised. The fire has been contained at the moment”, reads the press release.

The ministry says that according to existing preliminary information, no one was injured in the fire.

The extent of financial damage has not yet been estimated, but it is expected that the state will financially assist traders employed at the Varketili Market and compensate them for their losses.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has already launched an investigation into the damage or destruction of property by fire.

The reason for the fire is so far unknown.