Two people have been detained as part of pre-trial proceedings initiated by the Kotel Regional Office for the large-scale fire between the Sliven villages of Gradets and Medven.
The information was officially confirmed by the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs-Sliven for the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR - bnr.bg/horizont/post/518988/mvr-dvama-dushi-sa-zadarzhani-za-pozhara-mezhdu-slivenskite-sela-gradets-i-medven).
The fire, which broke out on August 20, 2026, destroyed about 2,000 acres of low vegetation. The affected areas include dry grasses, pastures, bushes, meadows and a significant part of the local forest fund.
How did the suspects end up being detained?
After locating the fire, forensic experts conducted a detailed inspection of the scene of the incident. Available video recordings from security cameras in the area were seized, numerous witnesses were questioned and a number of operational and search measures were implemented. According to initial data presented by the Bulgarian Telegraph Agency (BTA - bta.bg/bg/news/bulgaria/1189148), the fire started simultaneously from several separate places along road II-48, which immediately raised suspicions of deliberate arson.
The Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior-Sliven specifies that the work on the procedural and investigative actions continues. Another smaller incident is also being investigated in the investigation. A day after the major disaster, on August 21, a separate fire broke out in the outskirts of the village of Gradec. According to bTV Novinite (btvnovinite.bg/bulgaria/policijata-zadarzha-dvama-za-pozhara-v-medven.html), this secondary fire was caused by children playing with a neglected dump, for which the parents were issued with a report.
Chronology of the disaster and damage in the Sliven region
August 20, 2026 (1:30 p.m.): The first fire alarm was received in the forest area between Medven and Gradec. Afternoon of August 20: Regional Governor Mikhail Kasherov activated the BG-ALERT early warning system due to a flame height of 6-7 meters. Firefighting resources: Seven fire engines, two military helicopters, dozens of military personnel, forest officials and volunteers are involved in controlling the fire. August 21, 2026: The fire has been successfully localized and the partial state of emergency in the land of the village of Medven has been lifted. August 23, 2026: The Ministry of Interior officially announces the arrest of the two suspects in the main arson.At the moment, the situation in the region is completely calm and there is no danger of new outbreaks. Law enforcement agencies continue to work on documenting the full extent of the material damage caused to the state and private forest fund.