The biggest number of fires started from fireworks was recorded in the southwestern Dolnośląskie region and the southern Śląskie province, Polish state news agency PAP reported on Sunday morning.
The spokesman for Poland’s State Fire Service (PSP), Karol Kierzkowski, said: “During New Year’s Eve night, fireworks sparked some 700 fires around the country.”
He added: “The biggest number of blazes caused by fireworks broke out in the Dolnośląskie region and the Śląskie province, with each of the two regions witnessing some 100 fires.”
Moreover, “fireworks sparked around 80 fires in the western Wielkopolskie region and about 70 fires in the central Mazowieckie province,” the official announced.
Kierzkowski noted: “Fires caused by fireworks are mainly grass fires, thuja tree fires breaking out near buildings, trash can fires, arbour fires and garage canopy fires.”
One casualty in Gdańsk
The official said that in one of the callouts on New Year’ Eve night, a fire broke out in a flat in the northern city of Gdańsk. “One person died and another two suffered injuries,” he added.
“When firefighters arrived at the scene, the flat was totally filled with smoke. Fourteen firefighters and five firefighting vehicles were involved in extinguishing the fire,” Kierzkowski told PAP.
Ahead of New Year’s Eve night, police and medical services urged the public to be cautious with fireworks during the festivities to avoid getting hurt, news outlets reported.
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Source: PAP, polsatnews.pl, strazacki.pl