A major fire that erupted near Stara Zagora on Saturday has been brought under control, with emergency crews remaining on site throughout the night to prevent any new flare-ups. Authorities reported no injuries and said efforts are now focused on fully extinguishing the smoldering areas.
The blaze broke out at a facility where plastic bales intended for recycling were stored in an open area opposite the entrance to the Cemetery Park on the road to the village of Hristeni. Thousands of tons of plastic were affected, producing a massive column of black smoke that could be seen from kilometers away, including from Chirpan and Kazanlak.
Because burning plastic can release substances hazardous to human health, a mobile air-quality monitoring station was deployed in the Stara Zagora region. Environmental authorities continue to track atmospheric conditions around the site. Initial data indicate that air pollution levels remain within permitted limits despite localized increases close to the fire.
Regional Governor Kaloyan Damyanov sought to reassure residents, stating that measurements provided by environmental and fire protection authorities showed no exceedances of regulatory standards. “The data on air quality remains within the norm. There are some increases in the immediate area of the fire, but they do not exceed the permitted levels. Citizens can remain calm,” he said.
