March 4484***BREAKING NEWS: FORTLAND IS ON FIRE***The Republic of Fortland is on fire. President Geoffrey Briggs has declared a state of emergency, ordered a full evacuation and appealed for urgent international assistance.
The fire started whilst Fortland was attempting to show off its latest weaponry to a visiting inspector from the Zardic Institute of International Relations. It is believed the fire was caused by an unexpected spark flying off the back of one of the cannons.
Inspector Luis being escorted to safetyInspector Luis has already been evacuated from the country, although his notebook was lost in the chaos. However, a source close to the Inspector says he is not too bothered about this "because the economic and military assets he came to inspect are burning down as we speak, so the notes he took are now of limited value".
In a decision which has provoked widespread criticism, Noumonde has refused to come to Fortland's aid, claiming Fortland "is no concern of ours" and that "our coastguard are over-stretched at the moment as it is". Distress calls have been made to other nearby countries, including Indrala, Rildanor, New Alduria, Temania and Kimlien.
President Briggs has urged the Zardic Institute of International Relations "not to downgrade us on account of this tragedy", arguing that "the long-term fundamentals are sound so far as our economic and military development are concerned". He added that "we hope this unfortunate incident will not deter the Institute's inspectors from visiting us in future".