DEATH TOLL IN ARMENIAN RUBBER PLANT FIRE RISES TO THREE
The Financial
May 15 2009
Georgia
The FINANCIAL — YEREVAN, Three people are reported to have died in a
fire that broke out at a rubber plant in the Armenian capital Yerevan
on May 14, an emergencies ministry official said.
According to preliminary reports, there was an explosion in the
chloroprene section at the Nairit Plant which was followed by a
fire. Some time later a second powerful explosion occurred.
"The dead are plant employees, who were in the sector at the time of
the explosion," Col. Nikolai Grigoryan said, adding that 17 rescue
workers had received treatment for burns and toxic gas poisoning.
Grigoryan added that as a result of the fire, no harmful or poisonous
substances had been released into the surrounding area.
"Six ambulance crews are currently working at the scene," a medical
source said, adding that a number of people, who were slightly injured
in the accident, had received medical treatment at the scene.
One person is reported to be missing.
A total of 27 firefighting units are working at the scene. The fire
has already been brought under control.
"The fire is quite serious and can be seen from nearly all parts of
the city," Grigoryan said.
The Nairit Plant has produced chloroprene rubber and latex since 1940.