There are about a dozen licensed companies for working with pyrotechnics in the country, of which 3 are in Skopje, 2 in Struga, and one such company each in Gostivar, Veles, Bitola and Ohrid, but the number of those in the "gray zone" is unknown, it has been learned. Free Press by experienced pyrotechnic experts. The work of licensed companies is strictly monitored by the Ministry of Interior, which visits them and holds informative consultations with them.

As we unofficially learned after the tragedy at the Pulse disco in Kocani, all official companies that work with pyrotechnics were visited by the police. Pyrotechnic experts do not know who lit the fireworks at the DNK concert and do not want to speculate, but they warn that the more untrained and inexperienced the person handling them, the greater the danger to the safety of those present at any celebration, party or concert.

In particular, our sources add, more and more such events involve the lighting of torches or sprinklers, which can be a serious threat to guests.

– Licensed companies avoid using sprinklers, but there are those who decide to hire people who, for a small fee, put their own heads and the heads of hundreds of people in a “bag”. We reject any offers to use pyrotechnics in inappropriate halls or discos – say our sources.

As already reported by "Sloboden Pečat", according to Article 39 of the Law on Offenses Against Public Order and Peace, lighting rockets and organizing fireworks, torchlight processions or similar events must be reported to the Ministry of Interior's Department in whose territory the event will be held no later than five days before the start of the event. The report from paragraph 1 of this article states the place, time and purpose of lighting, i.e. holding the event, the number of torches, i.e. the quantity of pyrotechnics that will be used and the safety measures that will be taken.

The applicant is obliged to implement the security measures that he/she stated in the application, as well as the measures that the Ministry of Interior has determined for him/her. The Ministry of Interior to which the application has been submitted may prohibit the lighting of rockets, i.e. the holding of the event if security reasons so require. The written decision from paragraph 4 of this Article shall be submitted to the applicant no later than 48 hours before the holding of the event. Article 32, however, of the same Law stipulates that whoever organizes fireworks, torchlight procession or similar event in a public place without authorization or fails to take security measures, shall be fined in the amount of 100 to 250 euros in denar equivalent.

For the misdemeanor referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, a fine of 50 to 1.000 euros in denar equivalent shall be imposed on the legal entity - for micro-traders, 50 to 2.000 for small traders, 250 to 6.000 euros for medium-sized traders and 250 to 10.000 euros for large traders, and for the responsible person in the legal entity from 50 to 500 euros in denar equivalent.
Every year, the Ministry of Interior undertakes intensified activities to prevent the misuse of pyrotechnics, with increased momentum before and around the New Year holidays, taking into account the seasonal nature of pyrotechnics, but a large part of the gray area remains uncovered.

– It should be known that not only firecrackers, but also torches and sprinklers are not toys, but dangerous devices that can cause irreparable and lasting consequences for human health – our sources emphasize.

The Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery constantly emphasizes that the injuries and permanent complications from them are serious.

"If it's alarming that the greatest risk of injury from firecrackers is to the hands, you can imagine the damage from more powerful pyrotechnic devices. Even a small explosion can lead to permanent disability, which further affects both physical abilities and emotional well-being," the doctors point out.

 In Skopje, out of 13 controlled facilities, only 2 have a cabaret license, 8 have expired licenses, and 3 facilities do not have a license.

Around 50 inspections were carried out on the territory of the country on March 16 and 17 in catering establishments that have a license to operate a cabaret, nightclub, disco club and open-air disco club, informed Marija Miteva, spokesperson for the Government. According to these inspections, valid licenses for performing catering activities were submitted for inspection, and they are 22 in number throughout the territory of the country, but there are also 15 licenses that have expired.
The Ministry of Economy is also checking licenses to see if there is another case of abuse of archival work, that is, if a license was registered on another basis.

Pyrotechnics should be banned in Bulgarian discos and restaurants!

I want an immediate legal ban on all pyrotechnic and incendiary activities in discos and facilities in Bulgaria! This was written on the social network by Nikola Rahnev from Gorata.bg. He told "Telegraf.bg" that he is considering either starting an online petition or submitting a letter to the competent authorities. The reason for his request is the fire caused by fountains with fireworks that ignited in a closed room in the disco "Pulse" in Kochani, Macedonia, during a concert by the group "DNA". The accident killed 59 people and injured another 155. The case revealed numerous shortcomings and revealed that the disco had only two fire extinguishers.

– There should be fireworks, but only if they are organized by institutions – the state, municipalities and licensed companies, which should be responsible. It should be completely banned from selling in Bulgaria and from importing pyrotechnic products above a certain power and noise level – said Rahnev.

According to him, there should be stricter requirements and control, as well as more evacuation exits and more fire protection measures. According to Rahnev, the topic becomes especially relevant during the holidays, especially on New Year's, when sick people and animals go crazy with fear due to noise, there is air pollution and people with severed fingers. The Director of the General Directorate "Fire Safety and Population Protection" (GDPBZN), Chief Commissioner Alexander Zhartov, pointed out that there are about 260 similar facilities in the Bulgarian registers and they are checked at least once every year.

"When a violation is detected, appropriate measures are taken. We usually prepare a little more than 70 orders per year. We also prepare between 10 and 20 acts for administrative violations," he explained, adding that the facilities are subject to control during their design, construction and operation.