Fire at Malatia Mall Originated from Basement, Emergency Services Worker Provides Details

The fire at Malatia Mall originated from the basement area, though it is currently not possible to provide specifics due to coordination efforts. This information was shared today, August 24, during a press briefing by an emergency services employee involved in firefighting efforts.

According to the official, all firefighters are currently equipped with respiratory apparatus, as they are operating in areas that are unsuitable for breathing due to high temperatures, inaccessibility, and intense burning. “As of now, no explosive materials have been detected; only wooden materials have been reported. Each area measures about 800 square meters, with eight sections of 800 square meters each, not including other parts. At this moment, I cannot provide an exact figure for the fire's surface area; it is quite extensive,” he stated, adding that the smoke currently poses no danger to residents.

When asked whether there is a risk of the fire spreading, the emergency services staff member replied, “The fire has already spread, and firefighters are using all available means to extinguish it. Currently, some areas are being effectively isolated from the fire, while success has yet to be achieved in others. If citizens do not hinder the work of the water supply vehicles, I hope everything will end positively.”

He noted that around two dozen firefighting teams are currently involved, along with water transport units from the city and vehicles provided by the owner.

He added that both a furniture production workshop and a large quantity of building materials, primarily wood, have been burned. Earlier, NEWS.am reported that a call was received by the “911” service at 15:47 today, August 24, indicating that a fire had broken out in a building on Sebastia Street in Yerevan at Malatia Mall, with the number of injured individuals reaching seven according to the latest information.

The owner of Malatia Mall, well-known businessman Samvel Aleksanyan, is also present at the scene. Citizens, likely employees of Malatia Mall, are risking their safety to bring products that can be sold out of the building, including furniture, household appliances, bicycles, and furniture raw materials.

With a fire complexity of “Level 2,” 18 firefighting teams from the Yerevan Rescue Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, along with two aerial platforms, special rescue teams from the National Center for Crisis Management, and psychological support instructors have been dispatched to the scene. The fire complexity level was raised to “Level 3” at 16:35. Information regarding firefighting operations is being regularly reported to the Minister of Emergency Situations, who has visited the site.