STA, 20 April 2019 - Ninety-three residents were evacuated from a block of flats in the Ljubljana borough of Nove Jarše after a fire broke out on the sixth floor just after midnight. The fire was put out quickly, but five people were injured.
According to the Ljubljana Fire Brigade, the fire broke out on one of the balconies on the sixth floor of a multi-flat building in Bebler Square, before spreading to other flats and the roof of the building.
Three apartments were in flames and the fire had spread to part of the attic when the firefighters arrived. The blaze completely destroyed two apartments and partly damaged two more.
During the evacuation, five people were injured, including two police officers and three residents. One of the persons sustained grave burns, while the others suffered smoke inhalation injuries, including both policemen.
The Ljubljana city civil protection and disaster relief provided blankets for the residents, water, a heated bus and substitute flats for the residents whose homes had been destroyed.
The residents living in flats up to the fifth floor were able to return to their homes at around 3:30 AM on Saturday, and later other residents, except for those from the most damaged flats.
The Ljubljana city will see to the accommodation of those who are unable to return to their homes. The firefighters will cover the damaged parts of the roof with tarpaulin.
A criminal investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire, the Ljubljana Police Department said.
41 firefighters with 13 trucks were involved in the intervention, including members of voluntary fire brigades.
