Fire at Tbilisi’s business centre extinguished, opposition-leaning Formula TV staff evacuated

A fire at Tbilisi’s Delisi Business Centre has been extinguished, with all individuals evacuated safely and no injuries reported, Emergency Management Service head Teimuraz Mgeb­rishvili has said.

Speaking to journalists, Mgeb­rishvili said 25 fire engines and around 150 firefighters and rescuers had been deployed to the scene.

He stressed the fire spread through a shaft inside the building, with the source believed to have been on one of the lower floors. He said the exact floor had not yet been confirmed.

“The fire has been extinguished. Fortunately, no one was injured. Around 150 firefighters and rescuers were mobilised at the scene. People were evacuated safely. Further checks are currently underway,” Mgeb­rishvili said.

The building also houses the offices of opposition-leaning broadcaster Formula TV. Smoke spread into the television station’s studios and newsroom during the incident.

Formula journalist Sopo Vardiashvili said 22 journalists had been inside the newsroom when the fire broke out. Their evacuation was carried out in stages, and all of the broadcaster’s employees have now been safely evacuated.