Fire Destroys Trade Center Children’s World and Nearby Shops in Didube District

TBILISI – The entire Children’s World trade center, located in Didube District, has been destroyed due to a fire that broke out early this morning.

Around 30 firefighting brigades worked at the site for six hours before they were able to put out the fire.

The Emergency Management Service says that nearly 13,000 square meters have been burnt, including warehouses, shops, and a market located near the trading center. They say the building is badly damaged and cannot be used in the future.

Didube district governor, Irma Zavradashvili, estimates that the fire has caused sizeable damages.

She says that only the district administration alone will not be able to compensate for the loss.

“This is a large-scale problem. I hope the trade center shops were insured. The police are here, and they will find out what caused the fire,” she said.

Mayor of Tbilisi, Davit Narmania, also arrived at the site. He said that many traders saw a huge loss, and the market administration are responsible to them.

“The damage is huge. Many people worked here and had their shops, so the market administration should appear and answer the questions of the affected people,” the Mayor said.

Some traders, whose shops burnt down during the fire, believe the fire was deliberately set in the trade center. They say the building was sold at the auction and was intentionally burnt to make the merchants leave the building.

The affected people say they have bank loans and ask the government for help.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an investigation into the incident under the article 187, pertaining to destruction of other people's property, causing substantial damage.

 By Thea Morrison

Photo source: ghn.ge