emergencies
Big fire hits chemical warehouse in Poland
Thick smoke rises from the chemical plant in the Polish voivodeship of Lubusz. photo
© Lech Muszynski/PAP/dpa
Residents should stay in their houses and keep the windows closed. The camp is a depot for chemical waste.
A fire in a chemical warehouse in the Polish Voivodeship of Lebus, which borders on Brandenburg and Saxony, triggered a major fire brigade operation on Saturday. As official officials told TV news channel TVN24, the fire broke out in a depot for chemical waste in Ziolona Gora – only around 80 kilometers as the crow flies from Cottbus. Television images showed smoke developing far into the surrounding area and jets of flame several meters high.
The authorities initially called on residents in the area to stay in their homes and keep their windows closed. The mayor of the city of Ziolona Gora has already announced that numerous residents will be evacuated because of fears of toxic gases escaping. But this did not happen. Tests had confirmed that the smoke contained no life- or health-threatening substances. These are hydrocarbons and burned petroleum products.