Gasoline is considered banned substance in barracks - defense minister

YEREVAN, JANUARY 19, ARMENPRESS. According to preliminary information the fire which killed 15 troops in a barracks was caused as a result of violation of fire safety rules, Minister of Defense Suren Papikyan said at the Cabinet meeting.

“According to preliminary information provided by military police, the fire broke out as a result of violation of fire safety rules, and banned substance was used. I am talking about gasoline, and it was impossible to extinguish it after it broke out,” he said.

Earlier the prosecution also said that the fire which killed 15 troops at a barracks was caused by negligent use of gasoline to start the fireplace.

The prosecution said that at 05:15, January 19, the military base contacted the Military Police Department of Vardenis and said that a fire broke out during the lighting of a fireplace with gasoline inside the building of the military base in Azat village around 01:30.

15 conscripts died in the fire. Another 6 conscripts and 1 officer are hospitalized with burns.

A criminal case has been initiated on aggravated violation of safety rules with hazardous materials which negligently caused multiple deaths.

The Military Prosecutor of Armenia Grigor Elizbaryan is at the scene.

Investigators are working to determine the circumstances of the incident.