Fire at a car scrapyard blankets Tetovo in smoke, residents urged to close their windows

The flames that engulfed a car scrapyard in Tetovo this afternoon have consumed tires, batteries and plastic vehicle parts.

The firefighting service said that the fuel station located near the area affected by the fire is under control and does not currently pose a danger.

Avni Ameti, head of the Tetovo Territorial Firefighting Unit, said the fire is larger because of the materials burning. According to him, the presence of tires and other vehicle parts has also caused occasional explosions from the batteries. Ameti added that firefighters have been deployed around the fuel station and are monitoring the situation, while there is currently no danger to it.

The Municipal Environmental Inspectorate is also at the scene and will assess whether the fire has caused pollution. Authorities have warned that the owners could face measures if legal violations are identified after the analyses are completed.

“The municipal inspectorate is at the site where the fire broke out and, in cooperation with environmental inspectors, will carry out an inspection and analyses to determine whether there has been any pollution. Once we secure the necessary results, we will take the appropriate measures in accordance with the law,” said the head of the municipal inspectorate, Armend Salihi.

Meanwhile, because of the dense smoke and the burning tires and other waste, the inspectorate and firefighters have urged residents of the neighborhood to keep their windows closed. The advice will remain in effect until the pollution has cleared.