Pszów, Poland — A devastating fire tore through a three-story building in the southern Polish town of Pszów, near the Czech border, on Sunday evening, claiming the lives of five people. The tragedy has sparked serious questions about building safety and illegal residential operations.
According to Jacek Dobrzyński, spokesperson for the Polish Ministry of the Interior, the blaze broke out around 6:30 p.m. local time. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, evacuating 12 residents from the burning building, including two Ukrainian nationals. Two individuals were injured, among them a municipal officer who suffered smoke inhalation and was hospitalized.
Polish authorities confirmed that the building, which went up in flames, was being used illegally as a boarding house without proper permits. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but initial reports suggest it may have originated in the kitchen area.
Emergency Response and Investigation Underway
Over 120 firefighters were involved in the emergency response, battling the blaze late into the night. The scale of the operation and the number of casualties have prompted a regional investigation. Authorities are now focusing on determining the source of the fire and assessing the legality of the building’s use.
Marek Wójcik, head of the Silesian Voivodeship’s regional administration, told Polish broadcaster TVN24 that the building had not been officially registered as a residential facility. “We are looking into the unauthorized use of the premises. The police and fire services are actively investigating,” Wójcik stated.
The incident has drawn national attention and raised concerns about enforcement of housing regulations and safety standards, particularly in facilities used for residential or lodging purposes.
The tragedy in Pszów highlights ongoing challenges faced by authorities in monitoring unauthorized accommodations — a growing concern in border regions where economic migration is prevalent.
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