Peqin: Fire Devastates More Than 2 Hectares of Olive Groves; Suspected Arson

On the afternoon of August 14, a major fire engulfed the Paulesh–Vidhasasgjel area in the village of Vidhasasgjel. The incident was recorded in the village of Paulesh, part of the Pajovë Administrative Unit in the Municipality of Peqin.

The fire broke out at around 15:00 and was brought under control at 17:50. Fire services from several municipalities responded to the blaze, with the largest contingents arriving from Elbasan, Cërrik, Belsh and Rrogozhina.

Fire service data show that the flames swept through approximately 3 hectares of olive groves, forest, brush and wild vegetation. More than 2 hectares were burned, with olive groves and grassland suffering the most damage.

A total of 22 firefighters and 4 police officers were deployed to extinguish the fire. Several local residents also joined the operation, helping with efforts to contain the flames.

The assistance requested from the fire services in Elbasan, Cërrik, Belsh and Rrogozhina made it possible to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to other areas.

Preliminary suspicions are that the fire may have been started deliberately. No one had been detained in connection with the incident by the time the operation ended.

No one was injured in the fire, and the emergency medical service did not need to be activated.

Authorities are expected to continue their investigation to fully establish the circumstances of the fire and determine responsibility.