FEB 21 FIRE IN AMEMBASSY BELGRADE

UNCLAS BELGRADE 000230

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR OBO/PM/FIR, OBO/OM/SHEM, DS/CR/SI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ABLD AMGT ASEC OFDP KSAF SR
SUBJECT: FEB 21 FIRE IN AMEMBASSY BELGRADE


1. (U) A fire occurred in unoccupied Chancery space at around
19:10 P.M. on Feb. 21, 2008 as a result of riot on same evening.




2. (SBU) Fire occurred in X01002, Non Occupied Chancery
Building. Damage occurred in the following areas: ceiling
wooden construction, doors and door frames, wooden stairs,
windows and window frames and wooden flooring were burned out.
The total estimate of loss for fire damage is at least $100,000
dollars.




3. (SBU) One death occurred as a result of the fire. One of the
rioters, a young Serbian national named Zoran Vujovic, died as a
result of injuries sustained in the blaze.




4. (SBU) Fire occurred in a non occupied building. Facilities
and General Services operations were interrupted to assess and
repair damage. Normal operations of these sections may be
interrupted for at least 4 weeks until damage repairs and
security upgrades are completed. Several tradesmen and
leadership of GSO and Facilities sections must devote at least
quarter of working time to oversee necessary repairs for three
to four weeks.




5. (SBU) Fire was started by rioters. Exact cause of ignition
of fire is not known at this point. Most likely causes are
rioters who broke into building and started the fire with a road
flare or a flare and/or a molotov cocktail thrown in from
street. Embassy is still waiting for official report from Fire
Department and Police. Embassy has been informed that the only
way to retrieve a copy of fire report is to send a diplomatic
note to MFA officially requesting such report.




6. (SBU) Local fire brigade extinguished fire after one and half
hours. Fire department response was slow and access to property
was delayed until at least 19:44 due to riot. Evidence shows
that police protection was withdrawn from around the building
several minutes before the rioters arrived. Police finally
provided access for fire brigade around 19:44, breaking up the
violence several minutes after the rioters had effectively
started the fire and damaged the building.

MUNTER