Puls nightclub fire trial: Expert identifies polyurethane foam in ceiling

During a court hearing regarding the fire at the Puls nightclub in Kočan, expert witness Goran Markovski, a professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Skopje, testified about the presence of polyurethane foam used for acoustic insulation in the ceiling.

Markovski stated that while no physical remnants of the foam remained because it was completely consumed by the fire, the conclusion was drawn from photo documentation, engravings, and other expert findings. The defense, represented by lawyer Ivana Kocevska for the first accused, Dejan Jovanov, questioned the lack of physical material samples and the expert's specific specialization in fire protection.

Regarding building standards, Markovski testified that the gypsum board partition walls met the necessary fire resistance requirements. The investigation also addressed the speed at which the fire spread through the structure.