Owners of Narantuul market are being questioned

The Secretary of the State Emergency Commission N.Enkh-Amar spoke about the situation after the fire at Narantuul market.

-Can you explain what the current situation is at Narantuul market?

-A working group of 15, headed by Bayanzurkh District Governor, is working to bring normal functions, public discipline and security back to the market. They are securing the implementation of related regulations and taking actions according to the instruction а/798 given by the Ulaanbaatar City Mayor in 2013.

-What is the status of the goods stored in the storehouse?

-22 containers of goods have been returned to their owners and 29 out of 44 pavilions have been looked over and available goods have been returned to their owners. Now 80 percent have been looked over.

-How much is the estimated cost of fighting the fire?

The fire-fighting equipment and the fire fighter`s facilities necessary for the operation cost 11.9 million MNT, Transportation and installation of 18 containers cost 73.3 million MNT, installation of protective net cost 3.8 million MNT, the installation of police security cameras at the scene cost 46.9 million MNT. The deconstruction of the damaged grocery section cost 12.0 million MNT and other costs were 20 million. All together the operation costs were 200 million MNT. But the estimates may rise over the next few days.

-Is there any possibility that damage to renters goods will be paid by market owners?

-The agreement between market owners and renters say that each renter should keep up to one million MNT worth of goods on the counter at once. But the market owners are not responsible for renters goods worth over one million. In the case of any disaster the market owners are not responsible for renters’ goods and belongings. Renters should have their goods insured. Up to now over 100 renters have claimed compensation for their loss.

Half of them have insurance. Also the majority of goods stored in the storehouse was saved.

-Did you meet the owners of the market?

-During the fire accident, the market owners were abroad. So their response was slow. Now the market owners are being questioned about the accident.

-When will the cause of the fire finally be revealed?

-Police and the Intelligence Agency have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

Preliminary results have not yet come out. The Deputy Prime Minister issued an order to reveal what caused the fire and estimate the damages in 14 days.