On Sunday afternoon, residents of Kędzierzyn-Koźle faced a serious threat. A fire broke out in a warehouse hall at Stalmacha Street in the city centre, where electrical and sports equipment was stored, including electric scooters and bicycles. A thick, black smoke hangs over the city, and emergency services are urging residents to take special precautions.
Scale of the Fire
The fire was spotted on Sunday, 6 July, just before 4:00 p.m. Numerous units of the State Fire Service and the Volunteer Fire Brigades were immediately dispatched to the scene. Initially, 9 units were sent, but the situation developed so rapidly that the number of firefighters and vehicles quickly grew – more than 60 firefighters and 22 fire vehicles are now fighting the blaze. Further support is on its way from other units in the region.
What Was Inside the Hall?
The warehouse stored:The presence of lithium-ion batteries and electronics makes this fire especially dangerous – burning these materials can release toxic substances.
Toxic Smoke – A Threat to Residents
Thick smoke is visible from several kilometres away. Emergency services and the mayor are urging residents to:
The Government Centre for Security (RCB) sent SMS alerts to residents of the county:
"Do not approach the fire site within a radius of 1 kilometre. If you can, stay at home and close the windows".
Course of the Rescue Operation
Firefighters are focused not only on extinguishing the hall, but also on protecting a nearby forest and shipping containers located on the site. The fire spread to a second hall measuring approx. 50x30 m.
A firefighting robot from Kraków is also on standby and may be deployed in the high-risk zone.
At this time, there is no information about injured people among employees or residents. Journalists report, however, that two firefighters collapsed during the firefighting operation.
Recommendations for Residents
For your own safety and that of your loved ones:
- close windows and doors
- do not go outside unless necessary
- avoid the area of Stalmacha Street
- follow updates from rescue services and local authorities
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