The warehouse fire that occurred on Sunday in Chisinau's Botanica district is the biggest in the last 9 years, Iurie Gustiuc, head of the municipal emergencies department, told the ordinary City Hall's meeting on Monday. The scene of the fire, which was rated as very large, is still under observation to avoid any other eruptions. Preliminary investigation indicated a short circuit as the possible cause. According to Iurie Gustiuc, the flames spread extremely rapidly because the warehouse contained flammable materials and substances. Further, there was no one at the warehouse to open the locks for the firefighters. Constantin Becciev, the director of the municipal water utility Apa-Canal, said the company added several pumps to the hydraulic system to increase pressure and help contain the fire faster. The amount of water used was not yet estimated. The fire erupted on Sunday early morning at a furniture storehouse on Decebal Boulevard. Over 200 firefighters on 23 fire engines and more than 8 hours of struggle were needed to put out the blaze. A similar fire took place 9 years ago also at a furniture storehouse on Muncesti Street.