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President Aliyev visits scene of fire tragedy in Baku (UPDATE)

20 May 2015 14:14 (UTC+04:00)
President Aliyev visits scene of fire tragedy in Baku  (UPDATE)

By NIgar Orujova, Sara Rajabova

Following recent events related to the strong fire which raged at a high-rise residential building in Baku, President Ilham Aliyev convened a meeting of the State Commission in view of investigating the causes of the fire.

After visiting the site of the fire on May 20, President Aliyev personally chaired the first meeting of the Commission, where the security and quality issues in the construction sector in Azerbaijan were discussed.

The head of state once again offered his condolences to the families of those who died in the incident. A minute of silence was observed to honor the victims of the tragedy.

The strong fire which took place at a sixteen-storey building in Baku’s Binagadi district on May 19 killed 15 people: among which four children. 41 people were hospitalized suffering burns and gas poisoning.

As the president said, the primary version of the cause of the fire is the facing of the building with poor-quality and non-fire-resistant materials.

This is the second case this month where fire has spread rapidly due to easily flammable materials. Earlier another high-rise building in Baku ignited for the same reasons. The repetition of this case prompted the government to strengthen supervision in the construction sector and fix omissions in this sphere.

President Aliyev highlighted the measures taken by the government to eliminate the consequences of the fire. Criminal proceedings have already been brought against those responsible for the incident, he said adding that they will be seriously punished.

Saying that there are many buildings with similar covering in Baku, the head of state gave concrete instructions to the Baku City Executive Power and the Emergency Situations Ministry to examine all buildings covered with such paneling as well as the structure of the material, and immediately remove it from the facade of the buildings in case of danger.

President Aliyev said the main issue is that the people affected by the fire should be surrounded by care and attention.

He gave instructions to provide financial assistance to the families of the dead and to those who suffered injuries, repair – through government funding – the building and the apartments damaged by fire. The state will also ensure that all those affected by the fire receive all due compensation for their losses.

“This is not the first incident. A similar incident occurred earlier in the Khatai district. Fortunately, there were no fatalities there. But that issue should also be investigated seriously. I should also note that an investigation is underway related to the results of the fire in the residential building in Khatai district. It should be noted that another company was engaged in repairing that building,” President Aliyev said.

He said it shows that, in both cases, the companies involved in the repair of the building have acted irresponsibly, noting the law enforcement agencies will investigate this issue.

President Aliyev noted that the initial version of how the incident happened is that the building was covered with bad quality and flammable material.

“I have repeatedly raised this issue in connection with the repair. First of all, the repair should be carried out with quality and hazardous substances should not be used,” he said.

The president went on to say that these materials have been used in Baku for many years and no such incidents were observed earlier.

“According to some reports I received, the quality of the materials used in the initial stage was high. However, in the later stages, dangerous substances have been detected in these materials,” he said, stressing if it is so, then official opinion should be put forward and all agencies, people responsible for the death of innocent civilians will be seriously punished.

President Aliyev further praised the role played by the firefighters, health workers, and police officers, saying they have worked very hard and with much courage.

Later, the members of the State Commission provided information about the causes of the fire and the work which has been carried out so far.

President Aliyev once again gave concrete instructions to thoroughly investigate the incident and take necessary measures.

Under president’s order, the government is taking measures to provide all fire-affected residents with temporary accommodations as well as render all necessary help and solve their problems.

Financial assistance to all those affected by the fire will be rendered by the state.

Following the presidential order, work started on the dismantling of buildings covered with substandard materials in Baku’s districts.

Also, the Azerbaijani government made a decision in regards to changing the rules on the phased implementation by the Emergency Situations Ministry state control on the construction sector.

Under the decision, the State Agency for Control over Construction Safety will determine the cost estimate on the implementation of construction works at the expense of the state budget.

All of the rules, with exception of the section on the determination of the estimated cost for the construction work at the expense of the state budget were annulled in accordance with the decision.

After positive feedback by the State Expertise Department on accuracy of the basis estimate documents of the construction, the accuracy of contract value at construction’s current prices will be defined by the Center for Construction Pricing of the State Agency for Control over Construction Safety under Emergency Situations Ministry, according to the decision.

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