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Fire at hostel housing Polish and Ukrainian construction workers leaves five dead

14.04.2025 10:50
The mayor of Pszów, a town of approximately 13,000 residents in the Silesian region of southern Poland, has declared a day of mourning following a deadly fire that claimed the lives of five people on Sunday.
A fire broke out at a hostel in Pszów, Poland, on April 13, 2025. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control. Tragically, five people lost their lives as a result of the fire.
A fire broke out at a hostel in Pszów, Poland, on April 13, 2025. Firefighters were able to bring the blaze under control. Tragically, five people lost their lives as a result of the fire.Photo: PAP/KP PSP/asp. M. Kaczmarek/Wodzisław Śląski

“It is with great sorrow that we extend our condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims,” read a statement on the town’s official website, calling the fire “the most tragic event in the city in recent memory.”

Po wczorajszych tragicznych wydarzeniach związanych ze śmiercią pięciu osób w pożarze budynku na ul. Lubomskiej,...

Opublikowany przez Pszów - profil miasta Niedziela, 13 kwietnia 2025

The blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m. local time in a building that housed both residential units and a workers’ hostel. The fire spread quickly, engulfing all three floors and the roof. Firefighters managed to bring it under control by 9:40 p.m.

“At the peak of the operation, 120 firefighters and 34 vehicles were involved in battling the flames,” said senior fire officer Karol Kierzkowski.

Twelve people were evacuated from the building - 10 Polish nationals and 2 Ukrainian citizens. One person was hospitalized. Two people were injured: a resident and a local police officer who helped with the evacuation. 

All the residents of the building who lost their lives were Polish.

Firefighting operation at hostel in Pszów, southern Poland – April 13, 2025. Photo: PAP/KP PSP Wodzisław Śląski Firefighting operation at hostel in Pszów, southern Poland – April 13, 2025. Photo: PAP/KP PSP Wodzisław Śląski

“One of the victims was rescued by a neighborhood officer who suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to the hospital,” said Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA).

According to Silesian Voivode (provincial governor) Marek Wójcik, the building had not been formally registered as a hotel, an issue now under investigation.

“The fire spread very rapidly, which may have prevented the five victims from escaping in time,” said Chief Fire Commander Wojciech Kruczek.

On Monday morning, investigators - including a prosecutor, police officers, and a fire expert - were scheduled to examine the site of the tragedy.

Photo: PAP/Jarek Praszkiewicz Photo: PAP/Jarek Praszkiewicz

(m p)

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@KGPSP/@JacekDobrzynski/facebook.com/m.pszow