Fire in Strumica Reaches Sofilar, Residents Ordered to Evacuate

The flames that broke out at noon today between the villages of Banica and Vodocha, in the Strumica region, as well as near the Sofilar area, have been partially brought under control. Mechanical clearing operations are being carried out on the ground to prevent the fire from spreading further, while, according to the latest data from the Strumica Territorial Firefighting Unit, the fire has reached the settlement of Sofilar. For this reason, Strumica Fire Chief Aleksandar Gudev has ordered the evacuation of residents.

Stojanche Angelov, director of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, said that no injuries or buildings affected by the fire have been reported so far. According to him, an auxiliary structure was affected, but it did not burn down.

Angelov said the fire spread rapidly through the tall grass in the field. The Territorial Firefighting Unit arrived at the scene immediately and began extinguishing operations, while, due to the scale and danger of the situation, support was requested from firefighting units in Valandovo, Gevgelija, Radovish and other units.

He added that the situation is currently only partially under control.