DUSHANBE, January 9, Asia-Plus  -- Work on rehabilitation of a head building of Tajik State University that was destroyed by a fire last month began yesterday.   

Ms. Matluba Haqnazarova, executive secretary of the commission for mitigation of effects of the fire and rehabilitation of the building, told Asia-Plus that cleanup work had already been completed and builders from the limited liability company Asos had begun restoration work.   

We will recall that a December 26 fire destroyed a head building of Tajik Medical University, situated in the center of Dushanbe, completely; however, the University’s library and archives were salvaged. 

 According to unofficial sources, electrical malfunction my have caused the fire, which was first reports about 1:33 p.m.  The fire probably broke out on the third floor and then spread rapidly through the building.  All three floors of the building were completely enveloped in flames and the building that was constructed in 1939 practically burned down.  No injured was reported.  

A part of the building housed the university’s library and archives.  Fortunately, they managed to salvage the library and archives.

The fire was focus of a December 27 government meeting, presided over by President Emomali Rahmon. The president demanded at the meeting that heads of relevant structures should organize thorough construction examination of framework of the damaged building and enlist the services of the best construction companies to restore the building by August 2008. .