Minister Bačić: We did everything we were supposed to do as co-owners of Vjesnik building

Minister of Construction Branko Bačić said that they, as co-owners of the Vjesnik building, did everything they were supposed to do to ensure the building’s safety, including protection against fire, and he added the comprehensive inspection of the building should be over by the end of the week.

“I assumed leadership of the Ministry two and a half years ago and since then we have carried out a series of activities, including the ones referring to protection against fire, and we have done everything required of us as co-owners,” he stated.

He recalled that since the printing house stopped operating and the building was practically out of use, building manager BMD from Sesvete has been chosen as the building manager, and they have hired security personnel.

The building was monitored 24 hours a day by two security guards, and it also had insurance, including against fire, he added, so all legal requirements were met.

In accordance with the inspector’s findings, all measures were taken to meet the fire safety standards

“Last year, at our request, a fire safety inspector from the Ministry of the Interior examined the building, and in accordance with his findings, all the necessary measures were taken to meet the fire safety standards for such a building, and in that sense, approval was granted last year,” Bačić said, adding that the last inspection took place in July last year.

He reiterated that the state and the other five co-owners did everything they were supposed to do to continue with the activities taking place in the building.

At the same time, he reiterated, the Government adopted the decision on the strategic project and started the process of purchasing the co-owners’ shares of the complex. A floor study was developed and an appraisal was requested, but no agreement with the co-owners was reached, and now the fire has changed the circumstances, Bačić pointed out.

The Croatian Centre for Earthquake Engineering conducts monitoring and still does not allow anyone to enter the building. It is necessary to wait for the building to completely cool down.

The Minister said he expects they will conduct a comprehensive inspection of the building by the end of the week and form a view on the building’s mechanical resistance and, in that sense, the perimeter of the building where traffic can take place.

By 4 a.m. on Monday the same traffic regulation applies

At this point, he added, by Monday morning at 4 a.m. the same traffic regulation will apply. If the underpass has to remain closed, they try to make an agreement with the city authorities to establish a temporary bypass to prevent heavy congestion.

The police have arrested a young person in connection with the fire, and Bačić said he has no information on how the persons entered the building past the security guards, but he confirmed the entire complex is covered by video surveillance.

He also said that he has no information on the archived files of the Tax Administration and the Ministry of Labor damaged by the fire, i.e. whether any documents of particular importance were there, and he stated that the material had been in the building for 12 years.

He also pointed out that his Ministry has two important directorates in the Vjesnik complex, for finance and the majority of the head secretariat, which were not affected by the fire.

Minister Božinović on the Vjesnik fire: Multiple young persons under investigation, one person arrested

On Thursday Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović said several young persons are under investigation in connection with the fire in the Vjesnik building, out of which one person has been arrested and will be handed over to the detention supervisor later today.

Referring to the age range of the individuals under investigation, the Minister specified they are mostly minors and some young adults. He confirmed that people under police investigation are not exclusively males.

“We are still performing informative interviews. There will be interrogations, both of suspects and witnesses. They are accused on suspicion of arson,” he added.

Minister Božinović pointed out that on-site inspection of the building still hasn’t started, as conditions for it still need to be established. He also stated it was crucial to start the investigation immediately, as the majority of essential information can be gathered in this phase.

“We already have pieces of information, but considering the sensitivity of this phase of the criminal investigation, I cannot say more. The Zagreb Police Department will provide further details when possible. Interrogations of suspects and witnesses will continue. The Croatian public will not have to wait long for more information,” the Minister said on Thursday after the session of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
 
Related news:

• Minister Bačić: Experts will assess whether to renovate or demolish Vjesnik skyscraper
• Structural engineers: Vjesnik skyscraper still dangerous, no one can enter
• Fire in the Vjesnik skyscraper still not extinguished
• Minister Bačić called emergency meeting to determine further steps after the fire in Vjesnik skyscraper
• Fire in Zagreb's Vjesnik

 
Source: HINA

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