Fire Engulfs Storage Facility Near Tsareva Livada
A significant explosion occurred overnight at an arms storage site in central Bulgaria on Saturday, triggering a large fire that illuminated the night sky. Local media outlets and government officials confirmed the incident took place near the village of Tsareva Livada. Video footage circulated locally showed intense flames rising from the facility, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or injuries resulting from the blast.
Kristina Sidorova, the governor of the Gabrovo region, addressed journalists in the early hours of Saturday regarding the developing situation. She stated that the fire was burning within the grounds of the manufacturer’s storage base and noted that the blaze was spreading from one warehouse to another. Emergency response efforts were focused on containing the spread between the different storage units.
Second Incident at EMCO Site in Weeks
This event marks the second fire at an ammunition facility operated by the same company in recent weeks. Local media cited a representative from EMCO, the firm managing the site, confirming that the current blaze originated at their location. The facility had previously experienced an explosion last month. At the time of reporting, Reuters was unable to reach the company for further comment.
The storage facility is managed by Emilian Gebrev, a prominent Bulgarian arms dealer. According to Gebrev, the company has been the target of previous attacks allegedly carried out by Russian agents. These allegations point to a broader pattern of hostility directed at the business operations.
Historical Context and Legal Actions
Tensions surrounding the facility date back several years. In 2024, Bulgarian authorities issued arrest warrants for six Russians accused of involvement in the destruction of weapons warehouses belonging to Gebrev’s company. These warehouses had stored ammunition intended for export to Ukraine and Georgia between 2011 and 2020. The current fire adds to the ongoing security concerns and legal disputes surrounding the storage and handling of military supplies in the region.
