Auful fire at Minsk plant: rescuers died (Photo)

11.05.2010, 10:38

A products warehouse of Minsk plant of IT-equipment in Prytytski Avenue, 62 took fire. 4 rescuers of the Ministry of Emergencies have died, 4 more are in a hospital.

"Interfax" agency has been informed about that by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Emergencies Alyaksandr Lapanik.

"Four rescuers perished dyuring fire extinguishing. Four more are in an Emergency Hospital," Lapanik said.

Report about the fire was recieved by the at 9.05 a.m., BelTA informs. The territory of the fire was about 200 square metres.

As "Salidarnasts" reported from the site, traffic policemen closed off the plant's outside perimeter, streets were blocked. At least 16 items of rescue technique worked at the site of the catastrophe.

At 9.50 a.m. the roof of the warehouse collapsed.

At about 11.35 a.m. 8 rescuers of the Ministry of Emergencies were retrieved from under the rubble.

At 11.50 a.m. 100 officers of the Ministry of Emergencies with spades and makeshift means additionally arrived to the place of the fire to clean the rubble.

The representative of the Ministry of Emergencies said that the fire has been estinguished. Foam rubber rolls were burning in the warehouse. 105 rescuers and 25 items of rescue technique were used in the operation.

After the warehouse flamed up, the neighbouring shop floor caught fire, workers of the plant said. Before their eyes one of the rescuers was carried away from under the rubble. There were attempts to bring him back to life, but he didn't breathe again.

At about 12.20 p.m. the representative of the Ministry of Emergencies stated that 4 out of the 8 rescuers who appeared under the rubble died: two died in the site, and two in the hospital.

Emergencies Minister of Belarus Enver Bariyeu, the head of the Interior Affairs Main Directorate of Minsk city executive committee Leanid Farmagei, representatives of te prsecutor's office are at the accident site. It is obvious that the Emergencies Ministry representatives are shocked by the events, they stooped their shoulders grieving...