Premier: Huge Fire in Banska Stiavnica Centre Put under Control

Banska Stiavnica, March 18 (TASR) – An extensive fire in Banska Stiavnica has been stabilised in the afternoon, interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger, and Firefighter and Rescue Corps (HaZZ) President Pavel Mikulasek told a press briefing at the scene of the fire on Saturday, adding that the roof area of the geological museum was still on fire but firefighters were taking steps to prevent its spread. The premier stated that the fire affected and damaged seven buildings. "Many roofs burned down, in some even entire floors," he said, adding that there was no harm to health or loss of life. Mikulasek reported that the buildings affected by the fire and all adjacent houses had to be disconnected from electricity and gas. Currently, according to him, firefighters are eliminating local outbreaks. He assumes that they will be there at least until Sunday morning. "Currently, an expert investigation into the possible causes of the fire has begun, it's too early at the moment to speculate about the reasons," he added. Heger also thanked the professional firefighters, volunteer firefighters, rescuers and soldiers, also highlighting the work of volunteers who helped with the evacuation of documents. He also praised the arrival of several interim ministers at the scene of the fire. According to him, the government will do everything to restore the destroyed buildings to their original state. "It's a jewel of our cultural heritage, a lot of tourists come here. We want this town to be able to continue to prosper from this," he said, noting that the cabinet will have a separate session on the fire. A fire broke out on Saturday morning in a historical building on a square in the centre of Banska Stiavnica, which houses a well-known tourist attraction. The fire gradually expanded to other buildings in the city centre. Dozens of professional and volunteer firefighters, soldiers and military firefighters were trying to put out the fire. am