SOFIA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Two people have died in separate fire incidents in Bulgaria, both sparked by human negligence amid a severe heatwave, authorities said on Wednesday. Temperatures across the country have hovered around 40 degrees Celsius in recent days.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the first incident occurred Tuesday afternoon in the northeastern town of Isperih. A 73-year-old woman set fire to dry grass in her garden, but the blaze quickly spread to neighboring properties. Despite her efforts to extinguish the flames, firefighters later discovered her deceased at the scene.
The second fatality took place just hours later in the southern village of Polyanets. A 63-year-old resident inadvertently sparked a fire while using a metal cutting machine. The flames rapidly engulfed three houses, as well as dry grass, bushes, and forested areas. Firefighters rescued a 91-year-old man from the yard of one of the burning homes, but he later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Alexander Dzhartov, director of the Fire Safety and Civil Protection General Directorate, told NOVA TV on Wednesday that nearly 200 fires had been reported nationwide over the past 24 hours. Most, he said, have since been brought under control.
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has forecast soaring temperatures of 35 to 40 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with peaks of up to 42 degrees expected on Friday and Saturday.
In response to the escalating fire risk, the Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday that all military exercises and live-fire drills at training centers and ranges have been suspended since the end of June.
Meanwhile, WWF Bulgaria issued an alarming report earlier this month, stating that 90 percent of forest fires in the country are caused by human activity. ■
