Large fire near Herceg Novi: Several houses evacuated as a precaution, firefighters face a challenging night

A large fire is still burning in the territory of Herceg Novi, which broke out above Bijela and Baošić in the afternoon.

The Chief of Operations of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) Radomir Šćepanović told TV Vijesti that several houses were evacuated as a precaution, and that firefighters have so far managed to defend all endangered structures, but that the situation is further complicated by the strengthening wind.

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Due to the fire, the power line was disconnected from the network, so Kumbor, Đenovići, Baošići, Bijela and Kamenari have been without power for hours.

Video: Risto Bozovic

"I can say that the situation is currently under control. However, the situation could change at any moment, because the wind is increasing. Basically, protection and rescue services are on the ground. In addition to the Herceg Novi firefighters, there are firefighters from Kotor and Tivat, and volunteer fire companies from Boka are all involved in the field. The buildings are being guarded, so there are no buildings that are currently at risk, they are all under control. Several houses have been evacuated as a precaution, so for now I can say that the situation is favorable. The fact is that the fire area is large, the front is large, above the entire settlement of Baošić, towards Zelenica all the way here. Fire trucks have been deployed along that front and firefighters are on duty at the most endangered buildings, that is, where the fire is closest. If we estimate, we have more available forces from colleagues from the interior, primarily from Nikšić and Budva, who will probably come during the night to help their colleagues," said Šćepanović.

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The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced tonight that all available vehicles and personnel of the Herceg Novi Protection and Rescue Service are on the ground in Baošići. The Directorate for Protection and Rescue of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, through the Operational and Communication Center 112, sent a call for assistance in extinguishing the fire to the protection and rescue services of Kotor and Tivat, as well as the voluntary fire brigades of Perast, Bijela and Tivat.

During the day, the directorate's aircraft were deployed at several locations, including the areas of Nikšić, Bar and Herceg Novi, and in accordance with the development of the situation, they were redirected to the fire in Baošići. Two Air Tractor AT-802 aircraft were deployed at that fire, which dropped a total of 72 tons of water in 24 sorties, while the Antonov AN-32P aircraft made seven sorties, during which 56 tons of water were dropped on the fire.

"I am not satisfied with the situation, which is very bad. We are trying to repair something, our priority is to save these houses, since it is very densely populated and the fire is spreading towards Baošići, towards the houses. We have also called in teams from Tivat, Kotor, volunteers from Perast, Tivat, and utility tankers from Herceg Novi. We are trying to do as much as possible. MUP planes have also been involved. Mostly the houses are at risk. The move is near a densely populated area. We are trying to repel the fire, for now we have defended everything. There is a bora forecast during the night, so we will see how the situation develops," Zlatko Ćirović, commander of the Herceg Novi Protection and Rescue Service, previously told TV Vijesti.

Video: Risto Bozovic

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The Ministry of Interior previously announced that the fire in Baošići broke out at around 15:40 p.m.

They said at the time that the Police Directorate was engaged in ensuring unhindered passage for fire trucks, as well as in other assistance tasks, with the aim of enabling "the most efficient and urgent response to the situation."

"The Directorate for Protection and Rescue, through the Operational and Communication Center 112, is continuously monitoring the situation on the ground and coordinating the deployment of available forces and resources," the Ministry of the Interior announced earlier.