The fire in central Bulgaria caused a series of explosions but no injuries. EMCO said the facility near the village of Gorni Varpishta, about 170km east of Sofia, had not been used for months. The company also noted the site had been inspected 20 days earlier and found to be in full regulatory compliance.
EMCO, whose weapons have been supplied to Ukraine, said human error was "completely ruled out" and described the incident as part of what it called a longer pattern of attacks on the Bulgarian defence industry dating back to 2011. The firm said this latest episode was "no exception to the series of acts of sabotage against the Bulgarian defence industry" and urged stronger collective action, saying Bulgaria should work with allies to "prevent and neutralise these attacks."
The company is run by arms dealer Emilian Gebrev. Bulgarian prosecutors have previously alleged Gebrev was targeted by Russian agents, pointing to a 2015 poisoning attempt on Gebrev, his son and a company employee. Three Russian nationals were later charged in absentia over that attempted murder.
Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev warned investigators were keeping an open mind on the cause, saying they "are not ruling out outside interference". The incident follows last month’s fire and blasts at another EMCO ammunition warehouse in the same area. EMCO did not identify any suspects in the latest blaze.
The episode arrives amid wider concerns about a recent escalation of sabotage and suspicious fires at defence facilities across Europe. Germany has said Russia was responsible for a drone attack at Leipzig airport, a claim Moscow called "absurd," and several countries from Italy to Estonia have reported similar incidents, with some blaming Russia.
Bulgarian officials will continue examining the wreckage as the investigation proceeds. For now, EMCO stands by its view that the fire was deliberate, while authorities work to establish the cause and any possible external involvement.
