Fires in 16 different districts in the region have killed 8 people, destroyed more than 500 homes and left more than 900 people homeless. Criminal cases have been opened in connection with the deaths caused by the fires.
At an earlier meeting with Mr Chaika, the President ordered an investigation and said that officials must bear personal responsibility for the fact that this natural disaster had such serious consequences.
See also
Working meeting with Prosecutor General Yury Chaika
September 4, 2010