Angellov: Bonce in Prilep escaped a catastrophe, flames approached homes

Stojance Angellov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, said that a major catastrophe had been prevented in the village of Bonce, Prilep. Strong winds this morning pushed the fire toward the settlement, while the front of the flames had reached close to the houses.

As Angellov explained, at around 4 a.m. the fire had descended toward the village valley, making the situation extremely dangerous. Volunteer firefighters from Bitola and Kocani were deployed to put it out, while assistance was also requested from teams from Prilep and Kavadarci.

A team from the Emergency Medical Service was also deployed at the scene because of the deteriorating situation. Angellov reported that several of the volunteer firefighters from Bitola had inhaled smoke.

“Thanks to the brave firefighters from Bitola and Kocani, the village was saved,” Angellov said. He stressed that the intervention had been made more difficult by the hilly terrain, tall vegetation and the length of the fire line.

Volunteers from Bitola also took part in the operation, some of whom inhaled smoke. According to Angellov, if there had not been a timely response, the fire could have spread through the village, where there are more than 50 houses and more than ten people live, including a mother with an infant.

The situation also remains serious in the village of Paligrad in the Municipality of Studenichani. The fire there has been brought under control several times, but has reignited because of the difficult terrain, high temperatures and strong winds. Professional firefighters from Skopje, a “Pinzgauer” vehicle belonging to the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, and three “air tractors” have been sent to the area.

Active fire hotspots also remain in the areas of Mavrovo and Rostusha, as well as in Kicevo.

Angellov once again appealed to citizens to exercise maximum caution, warning that even a single spark could cause a major catastrophe.

Over the past 24 hours, firefighting teams have successfully localized and extinguished 23 fires that had affected forested areas, landfills, hay and dry grass in numerous municipalities across the country.