Forty-five firefighting units are extinguishing a fire at a landfill in Siemianowice Śląskie, a city in southern Poland, with more expected to join the operations.
Containers with chemicals on Wyzwolenia Street in the area after the former “Fabud” plant are on fire. There has been no information provided on injured persons.
“The fire is not yet under control,” Kierzkowski told Polish Radio 24. “The number of accumulated combustible materials, including oil and chemicals, leads us to believe that the action will continue until the evening hours or even the next morning,” he added.Gigantyczny pożar składowiska odpadów w Siemianowicach Śląskich.
— Gazeta Trzebińska (@Gaz_Trzebinska) May 10, 2024
Prawdopodobnie palą się niebezpieczne chemikalia. Sytuacja nie jest opanowana. W pożarze dochodzi do rozszczelnienia beczek z nieznanymi substancjami i ich eksplozji.pic.twitter.com/2Rbp1BWZlb
He admitted that the fire department does not know the exact chemical composition of the burning substances, saying “at the moment, the chemical-ecological rescue group will check it”.🔥🚒 Trwaja akcja gaśnicza na terenie składowiska odpadów w Siemianowicach Śląskich.
— Państwowa Straż Pożarna (@KGPSP) May 10, 2024
💢W działania zaangażowanych jest 1️⃣6️⃣0️⃣ strażaków👨🏻🚒#strażacy #bezpieczeństwo pic.twitter.com/6YIM01qaQB
He further added that it is possible the burning containers with flammable liquids are piled up close together, making firefighting difficult.
Firefighters’ appeal to residents
Kierzkowski said that the government security center (RCB) had issued a message to residents to stay away from the fire. “Fortunately, the nearest buildings are about 500 meters away, so it can be said with a high degree of certainty that the smoke will not threaten residents, though it is poisonous and toxic. Firefighters must be very careful,” he stressed.
He also appealed for people to stay indoors for several hours, as the fire is causing a lot of smoke. “As a precautionary measure, let’s stay at home and avoid the area. If we see smoke rising, let’s not go in its direction,” Kierzkowski stressed.
In connection with the fire, the RCB has issued a warning against the adverse effects of the resulting smoke for residents of Jaworzno, Ruda Śląska, and Zabrze.
❗️Aktualizacja ALERTU RCB❗️
— Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa (@RCB_RP) May 10, 2024
Ostrzeżenie wysłano także do odbiorców przebywających na terenie Jaworzna, Rudy Śląskiej i Zabrza. pic.twitter.com/LVuqd8O1i1
