State of Emergency Declared in Velky Saris, Fire Victims Include Children

Velky Saris, March 20 (TASR) - The town of Velky Saris declared a state of emergency following a tragic overnight fire in which five people died, of which four were children, TASR learnt city mayor Mayor Viliam Kall on Thursday. According to the mayor, the fire occurred on Wednesday (March 19) night in an area where a marginalised Roma community resides. "About eight dwellings that we had identified were on fire. They burnt to the ground," he said. Approximately 30 people were affected by the fire. While some went to stay with their family members, 11 adults and seven children were placed in a community centre, where they were provided with overnight shelter and food. Further actions will be decided during Thursday's crisis staff meeting. "It will be necessary to address helping those who have lost their homes, clothes, and in fact everything. The goal is to take care of them," Kall said, adding that they will also have to deal with damage repair. Rescuers confirmed to TASR that five people were found at the fire with no signs of life. According to the mayor, it was supposed to be one adult and four children. "They were small children. The oldest was four years old," he said. lin