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Ukraine brings forest fire near Chernobyl nuclear zone under control

Ukrainian Interior Minister said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday that authorities suspected the fire was started deliberately

KIEV, April 29. /TASS/. A forest fire near Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power (NPP) plant was contained on Wednesday morning, the country’s State Emergency Service said.

"As of 6 a.m. on April 29, the fire front was surrounded and contained. The situation is under control." the agency said in a statement, adding that firefighters continued to put out hot spots.

"A command center has been set up at the site and a mobile response group is working there," it said.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said in a post on Facebook on Tuesday that authorities suspected the fire was started deliberately and had tightened security around the exclusion zone.

Prime Minister Arseny Yatsenyuk told journalists upon return from the fire area that the radiation background had not changed in connection with the fire.