Skopje Mayor Danela Arsovska said that he major fire in the abandoned Treska furniture plant in downtown Skopje was likely planted. The site contained plastics, all sorts of rubbish and likely gas canisters, which caused a dark cloud of smoke to lift over the city and even explosions.

I want to inform you that the fire is out. We had a tremendous reaction from our fire brigade, which sent 55 men here. The indications are that some persons planted the fire. It was also reported by the local citizens, who saw people moving around, Arsovska said.

The site is of prime interest for real-estate developers – an entire city block in a very popular part of Skopje has been left unused for decades.