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UPDATE: Poland to begin disbursing emergency funds to Ząbki fire victims next week

05.07.2025 10:30
Polish authorities will begin distributing emergency financial aid next week to residents displaced by a massive fire that destroyed or damaged over 200 apartments in the town of Ząbki, near Warsaw, officials said on Saturday.
Polands finance minister has promised emergency assistance for hundreds of residents displaced by a major blaze that destroyed parts of three apartment buildings in the town of Ząbki, as prosecutors opened an investigation and PM Donald Tusk convened an urgent meeting to address a series of recent fires.
Poland’s finance minister has promised emergency assistance for hundreds of residents displaced by a major blaze that destroyed parts of three apartment buildings in the town of Ząbki, as prosecutors opened an investigation and PM Donald Tusk convened an urgent meeting to address a series of recent fires.Photo: PAP/Leszek Szymański

"We will start disbursing the first payments to victims next week; we are still accepting applications for assistance," Patrycja Żołnierzak, the city’s secretary, told the Polish Press Agency (PAP).

Each affected household is eligible for a one-off emergency payment of PLN 8,000 (EUR 1,885) to cover essential needs.

Over PLN 1.6 million has been allocated for this purpose by the Mazovian Voivodeship Office.

The fire broke out Thursday evening in the attic of a four-storey residential building on Powstańców Street and was brought under control on Friday morning.

The blaze destroyed the roof and all apartments on the top floor, while others suffered serious water damage.

Over 500 people lived in the 211 units affected.

No fatalities were reported, though several residents and firefighters sustained minor injuries.

Prosecutors have launched an investigation into the incident, treating it as an event that posed a serious threat to life and property.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk approved the release of special emergency funds on Friday.

Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak and the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, Jan Grabiec, visited the site to assess the situation.

Officials said the full scale of assistance will be determined once damage assessments are complete.

A temporary assistance centre with 24-hour support has been established at a local school.

Victims in need of shelter have been offered accommodation in hotels and public facilities, and psychological assistance is available on site.

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