Blaze damages National Bank (04/07/96)

Blaze damages National Bank

by Marta Kolomayets
Kyiv Press Bureau

KYIV - A fire broke out in the National Bank of Ukraine building on March 21, causing damage to papers and valuables in the cellar of the structure, reported Interfax-Ukraine.

The blaze, which seems to have started at 2 p.m., was put out by 2:45 p.m. Interior Ministry authorities said they believe the flames broke out when waste papers caught fire as a welding machine gave off some sparks.

There were no injuries as firefighters ma-naged to evacuate personnel from the building, which dates back to 1902 and was de-signed by architect Vladyslav Horodetsky.

"Nothing serious has happened," said National Bank Governor Victor Yushchenko, describing the damage to the building as "insignificant." He noted that there would be an investigation by bank authorities into the cause of the fire.

This is the second fire at a state building in less than two weeks. On March 9, the studios of the Ukrainian Television and Radio Company were engulfed by flames in the wee hours of the morning, causing the airwaves to be silent for more than four hours.

Close to $7 million (U.S.) will be needed to repair and restore the building of the broadcast company, located on the Khreshchatyk, Kyiv's main thoroughfare, and an additional $4-5 million to purchase new equipment, according to Zinoviy Kulyk, chairman of the State Committee for TV and Radio Broadcasting.

Mr. Kulyk said the state budget will be the main source of funding for the restoration of the building, but that a special account would be opened to collect money for new equipment.

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