Fire Engulfs Buses, Garages and Offices of Beldona Near Kočani: Black Smoke Over the Town, Cause Unknown for Now

A large fire on Sunday morning hit the bus company Beldona near the village of Trkanje, in the Kočani area. The blaze broke out around 9 a.m. at a spot called Cackov Bunar, right next to a petrol station, and spread across the bus parking lot. Thick black smoke rose over the town and could be seen from nearby places.

Around ten fire engines and some 30 firefighters from Kočani and Vinica responded, along with the Voluntary Fire Brigade from Kočani. The fire was put out in about an hour and did not spread any further.

According to initial reports, buses, garages and office space burned down, and the damage is heavy. So far there is no information on the cause or on any possible injuries.

The authorities have announced an on-site investigation. When it's done, the public has a right to a simple answer: how did a fire start on a lot full of buses, right next to a petrol station, and who was checking that lot before it burned?