Three individuals face criminal charges over forest fire in Lachin

Three people have been held criminally liable for causing a forest fire in the mountainous area near the villages of Khochaz and Mollalar in Azerbaijan's Lachin District.

Report informs, citing the joint statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, that the fire was sparked by an open campfire set by residents of the village of Sus.

The blaze quickly spread across a hard-to-reach area, affecting approximately 14 hectares of forested land.

The suspects were detained by police and are now facing criminal prosecution. Investigative proceedings are currently ongoing.

Meanwhile, the State Fire Protection Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations continues efforts to fully extinguish the remaining fire.