After Tuesday (22 July), a fire in the Roma settlement in the village of Spišský Štiavnik in the Poprad district lost more than 140 people. The village temporarily placed them in the local community center, especially mothers with children. Mayor Matúš Korheľ told TASR that there will be a crisis crew during the day, which will decide what to do with the inhabitants of the burned dwellings.
“We spent the night well, in the community center we provided mattresses, blankets, some clothes and food, everything we could, so they were secured. About 11 huts have burned pre -burned, the fire probably spread from one of them from some of them, but we don’t know exactly yet, ” The mayor said. Firefighters were catching up on Wednesday morning. There was also police and investigator of the causes of fires.
The fire was engulfed in a part of the settlement, which lives an estimated 1800 people at approximately 18.00. Firefighters managed to get the fire under the control of a few hours. Ivan Pačaj from the local civil service service explained that firefighters tried to extinguish the fire, but spread very quickly. “It was a big flame, people are afraid, they have no place to go with the children, they stayed on the street, we bought them some basic equipment. It’s sad, they don’t have anything or clothes, everything burned them in the house”Said Pačaj.
Helping the municipality was promised by the Office of the Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities, the Poprad District Office and the Local Labor Office or humanitarian organizations. “We will welcome any help, especially because we have several children from one to five years. There will be a crisis crew, reviews the possibilities we have, and we will decide how to go on. In the community center they have temporary accommodation, about what will happen to them, definitely the crisis crew, ”concluded Korheľ.
