YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. The first 911 call about the fire on the roof of Dolmama restaurant was made by Hakob Arshakyan, Armenia’s Minister of High Tech Industry. The restaurant is nearby the city’s central plaza where the government headquarters is located and apparently Arshakyan was on his way to work when he saw the blaze.

“Other citizens have also called after Hakob Arshakyan’s call, but we were already aware and we were able to respond immediately,” Major General Vrezh Gabrielyan, the Head of the Rescue Service told reporters.

Arshakyan himself is still on the scene. He said he will leave the area only after the fire is contained and the building is saved.

“I called the Minister of Emergency Situations, I told him the situation is critical if the fire spreads, and several minutes later first responders were already here,” he said.

“It is one of the beautiful buildings of our Yerevan, it is very regrettable that it is burning, I wanna know that they are able to save it, then I will head to work,” he said.

Minister of Emergency Situations Felix Tsolakyan is also personally on the scene.

He told reporters it is too early to speak about the possible causes of the fire.

Tsolakyan said there are no injuries.

The roof of one of the most high-end restaurants in Yerevan – Dolmama – is ablaze.

The fire was reported through a 911 call at 13:59, authorities said.

Numerous firefighting teams are on the scene.

The Ministry of Emergency Situations said the fire originated on the roof of the building.

The restaurant is located at 10 Abovyan Street in downtown Yerevan and is known for high-profile patrons, including visiting foreign dignitaries and stars.

Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan