fire_eliava_-_photo_by_palitratv

(Palitra TV.)

TBILISI, DFWatch–A massive fire at a Tbilisi bazaar on Tuesday claimed the lives of two people. The bodies were found at night at Eliava, in the center of the capital.

The bodies could not be immediately identified, as they had been burned almost to ashes, and were taken away for forensic examination and identification.

Five were also injured, one of whom was a firefighter who suffered facial burns and a rescue worker with smoke intoxication.

Firefighters continued working on Wednesday, and did not let anyone inside at the pain storage facility on Gudauta Street.

Also on Wednesday, Tbilisi City Hall promised to assist the families of the victims.

Mayor Davit Narmania expressed his condolences to the families and promised to support them.

An enormous black plume of smoke rose over the capital on Tuesday and was captured on camera from different angles. The reason for the fire is still unknown.

Fourteen crews of firefighters and a helicopter took part in the effort to contain the fire, which lasted several hours.

An investigation has been launched pursuant to article 187 of the Criminal Code about damaging or destroying someone’s property.