Warehouse catches fire in Tbilisi
By Tea Mariamidze
Friday, February 15
16 fire-fighting brigades were mobilized at the warehouse building in Didube district. This is the second time the building has suffered fire damage since last year.
The Emergency Management Service says the fire 250 square meters of the territory of the building.
After two hour attempts, the fire was localized. No one was injured during the incident.
The exact cause of the fire is unknown but an investigation has already been launched into the incident.
The shopkeepers and traders, whose goods burnt down during the fire recall the similar incident which happened last February in a three-story shopping center ‘City’s Heart’ and left dozens of shopkeepers and vendors unemployed.
Last year’s fire started on the top floor of the building at night and up to 38 fire brigades and 150 firefighters were working all night to prevent the fire from spreading. However, 3000 square meters of the shopping mall and its adjacent territory, including the warehouse which was burnt on February 14 were destroyed.
The workers recall that they did not receive any assistance from the Mayor’s Office last year too. They call on the authorities to help.
“What shall we do? The fire destroyed everything we had. How can we survive such a huge loss,” one of them told media.
The Governor of Didube District Irma Zavradashvili says the workers will not receive any compensation but the state will do its best to help them.
Zavradashvili said that only 150 square meters territory of the warehouse was burnt.
“It is very early to speak about the cause of the fire because the warehouse was renovated and in a good condition. An investigation is underway and the fire-fighters are mobilized on the site to make sure the fire will not spread further,” she said.
According to the governor, the exact number of fire-affected traders and the cost of damage is unknown yet.
“The shopkeepers will not get compensation from the state because it is a private territory, but as always, we will do our best to help them,” Zavradashvili said.
