Fire at Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power Plant brought under control

The fire at Maritsa East 2 Thermal Power plant (TPP), in which the chimney of the sulfur-cleaning plant of the 8th block burnt, has been brought under control. There are no injured people, but the damage is for hundreds of thousands of BGN. The incident will not affect the security of the energy system, Bulgaria’s Minister of energy Temenuzhka Petkova said on 24thof June.

No exceedance of the air quality standards has been reported, the eco-inspection in Stara Zagora said.

The fire occurred during a planned repair of the 135 m high chimney, which collapsed partially. Fifteen people were working on the Sulphur-cleaning installation during the incident. They were immediately evacuated. Eight fire brigade teams took part in the extinguishing of the fire.

Minister Petkova said the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water has measured the air quality and has established it is within the norms.

The competent institutions will assess the damage caused by the fire.

It is not yet clear what the cause of the fire is.