[size=55:3aaym7qh]Sofia echo

Forest fire raging near Bansko

A massive fire has ravaged a large section of pine forest near the alpine town of Bansko. The fire has been burning since the afternoon of April 9 2011, and to date, about 2500 ha of terrain has been destroyed, Mediapool.bg reported.

The fire is reported to be between the villages of Gostun and Ossenovo in the Bansko municipality. Another large fire has also been reported close to the Bulgarian-Macedonian border, near Beltoko, close to Petrich. Luckily, that blaze affected only grass and scrub and spread around about 240 ha. It has been contained, the report said.

The first signal of the conflagration near Bansko was received on Saturday (April 9) at 5.45pm. The fire brigade in Bansko were mobilised and dispatched to the scene, but their work was hampered by difficult and inaccessible terrain, the report said.

The fire brigade fought the conflagration for a full day, and have reportedly "
contained"
the fire, although flames are still raging. Reportedly, 12 fire-fighting vehicles and 40 men from Blagoevgrad and another 80 men and three vehicles from Dobrinishte and Bansko are at the scene. They are being assisted by about 190 volunteers.

Authorities said that there was no danger to nearby neighbourhoods.

Gosh this bad news and of course must be very frightening for everyone in the area, thank God nobody was hurt and they managed to contain the fire now only need to worry about the sparks flying, especially with the reported winds in BG recently. Fingers cross all dies down soon.

Oddy