A significant fire broke out in a warehouse located in the Nowy Port district of Gdańsk on Sunday afternoon. The blaze, which involved materials such as textiles and large quantities of engine oil, prompted an extensive response from emergency services. Despite the intensity of the fire, authorities have assured the public that there is no immediate environmental threat.
The incident occurred at approximately 4:58 PM at a warehouse on Oliwska Street. The facility, measuring around 100 by 100 meters, housed a substantial amount of combustible materials, including textiles and plastic toys. “This is the largest fire in Gdańsk in recent years, comparable in scale to the landfill fire near Lębork,” stated Captain Andrzej Piechowski of the Gdańsk Municipal Fire Department.
Firefighting Efforts
Firefighting efforts have been extensive, involving around 100 firefighters from 40 different units, including vehicles from the municipal fire department, ships from the Maritime Fire Service, and the Maritime Search and Rescue Service (SAR). The fire was localized around 2:00 AM on Monday, but the process of extinguishing the flames is ongoing.
“The fire has been confined to an area of 6,300 square meters,” reported Senior Brigadier Józef Galica, Deputy Chief Commander of the State Fire Service. “The operation is challenging due to the high volume of flammable materials, including around 240 pallets of engine oil which exacerbated the fire’s intensity.”
Environmental Concerns
In the wake of the fire, the Provincial Environmental Inspectorate has been closely monitoring potential environmental impacts. Preliminary tests indicate no immediate threat to the environment. “We have taken water samples from the port channel for analysis, and initial results show no significant deviations in oxygenation, conductivity, pH, or temperature,” stated Radosław Rzepecki, Deputy Inspector of the Pomeranian Provincial Environmental Inspectorate.
Additionally, preventive measures have been implemented to prevent firewater, which may contain hydrocarbons, from contaminating marine and inland waters. Barriers have been set up, and part of the contamination has already been removed from the port channel.
Public Safety Measures
The Government Security Center issued an alert advising residents to avoid the beach in Brzeźno due to possible water contamination. Three bathing areas have been closed as a precaution. “This is a preventive measure to ensure no petroleum-based substances have entered the channel,” explained Brigadier Józef Galica. Air quality monitoring has shown no harmful levels of pollutants.
Authorities have emphasized that despite the scale of the fire, no injuries have been reported. The incident has temporarily halted port traffic, but efforts are underway to manage and mitigate the aftermath of the fire.
Ongoing Investigations
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the fire and assess the full extent of the damage. The fire department’s use of a robot to enter the burning warehouse helped identify key areas to target. “It’s crucial that we continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure all potential hazards are addressed,” added Galica.
As firefighters continue to extinguish the blaze and environmental assessments proceed, residents are urged to stay informed through official channels and adhere to safety advisories.
