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All the victims of the fire damage at the Varketili market have been compensated

By Anastasia Sokhadze
Tuesday, August 18
Insurance company IRAO stated that all the victims of the fire at the Varketili market, the owners of each damaged commercial object, received compensation due to the insurance.

According to them, 245 entrepreneurs received compensation for 382 commercial objects, and the amount paid is up to GEL1 million.

"Representatives of IRAO were gradually determining the value of the products destroyed by the fires in the process, finding the relevant documents in cooperation with the market administration and the landlords. Accordingly, the entrepreneurs received their remuneration in several stages,” stated the company.

According to them, as of today, there are only two entrepreneurs left, with whom the process of collecting documents is actively underway, and they will be able to receive their remuneration as soon as possible.

"It was one of the largest fires and we can confidently say that our company was able to quickly deal with the damage caused by the fire. Since the public interest in this fire was also very high, we have been in constant communication with the affected entrepreneurs all this time. I think this precedent will significantly change the attitude of the public and businesses towards insurance. This unfortunate case further highlighted the need for insurance to protect the business from unforeseen costs in the event of such an emergency. The mission of our company is to promote financial security and stability,” stated Vakhtang Dekanosidze, General Director of IRAO.

In Varketili, on Shuamta Street, the fire broke out on the night of June 15th. The fire spread over an area of 4 thousand square meters.

About 130 firefighters with 25 units of equipment tried for several hours to extinguish the fire at the market in Varketili that occurred on June 15th. There was also a threat of fire spreading to the gas station and residential building, although it was avoided. The fire burned down a certain area of the mixed market. The fire spread to the warehouse booths and according to the initial information, clothes and various items prepared for sale were burned. By the next morning, the fire was completely extinguished.

According to the head of the Tbilisi Fire and Rescue Division, the fire probably broke out in the middle of the market, where, according to Otar Kereselidze, flammable substances and fireworks were probably stored.

The government has promised the traders that it will allocate a safe area for them before the market is restored, as well as exempt them from taxes for several months.