Firefighters extinguish strong wildfire in Ridder town

A strong fire in the village of Leskhoz in Ridder town was extinguished. According to Kazakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, firefighters are currently putting out the wildfire in the forest. Today the fire has already destroyed an area of more than 310 hectares. A round-the-clock watch is organized in the fire zone.

“The local police department provided the protection of public order. Including, ensuring proper law and order in regards to preventing cases of looting. Providing cordon in terms of preventing passers by from entering the fire zone. Road safety patrols were also bolstered. Including, ensuring the unhindered passage of fire brigades for timely extinguishing,” said Serik Dzhunisbekov, First Deputy Chief of East Kazakhstan Region Police Department.

A pre-trial investigation into the fire was launched under the article “careless handling of fire”. All circumstances of the incident are being investigated. The coniferous forest caught fire in a suburb of Ridder the night before. According to the latest information, one person died, two were injured. The fire destroyed 35 houses, nine outbuildings. President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took control of the situation to provide assistance to the victims of the fire.

Translation by Saniya Sakenova

Editing by Galiya Khassenkhanova