A fire in the village of Razboyna, Ruen municipality, prompted a large-scale mobilization of firefighting teams and local residents. The mayor of the municipality, Ahmed Mehmed, confirmed to BTA that the situation is under control, but one team will remain on site for observation.
The incident, which started in the early afternoon, quickly spread to yards, two agricultural buildings, and agricultural produce. One house in the village, which has over 1000 inhabitants, was partially affected. Thanks to the quick response of the local population and firefighters, the spread of the fire was contained.
The fire started from the edge of the village. We don't know exactly where from. The police have the responsibility to establish this
stated Mayor Mehmed. He emphasized that there were no casualties and added:
More than a hundred volunteers and farmers joined in the firefighting efforts
Strong winds directed the flames towards the nearby forest, but timely intervention by forest services prevented the fire from entering the forest massif. Fire engines from neighboring municipalities of Aytos, Pomorie, and Burgas were dispatched to deal with the situation.
Lack of fire department in Ruen municipality
The incident raised the issue of the lack of a fire department in Ruen municipality. Mayor Ahmed Mehmed shared that the municipal administration has already taken steps to address this problem:
We have taken the first steps to establish a fire department in Ruen - we have requested a property for this, and we are receiving assistance from the Regional Administration in Burgas
He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, especially in the context of increasing drought and the growing workload of fire departments in the region.
However, we still have to secure funding, prepare project documentation, and go through numerous other procedures
the mayor added.
Local residents told BTA that the flames spread extremely quickly due to the strong wind. Many of them continue to take preventive measures, pouring buckets of water and spraying hoses around their homes.
The incident in Razboyna village highlights the importance of quick response and coordination between local authorities, fire departments, and residents in dealing with such crisis situations. It also brings to the forefront the need to improve firefighting infrastructure in smaller municipalities, especially in the context of changing climate conditions and increasing fire risks.