A catastrophic scene unfolded in Poznań’s Jeżyce district late Saturday night, when a fire broke out in a tenement building on Kraszewskiego Street, just near the city center. What started as a routine emergency quickly turned into a nightmare, as firefighters fought to contain the blaze. Suddenly, an explosion ripped through the building, injuring 13 people, including several firefighters. The blast was so powerful that it left two other firefighters missing, feared trapped in the smoldering ruins.
Witnesses described a terrifying night, as social media quickly filled with images and videos of the raging fire, lighting up the night sky. The flames engulfed the entire building, with fears that the inferno might spread to neighboring structures.
Lucyna Rudzińska from the Greater Poland Fire Department reported that 13 firefighting units were on the scene when the explosion occurred, likely caused by a gas cylinder. Five firefighters were injured in the blast, with two needing immediate hospitalization. The search continued for their missing colleagues, adding to the intense pressure of the rescue mission.
By 4 a.m., the fire was still raging as over 20 units battled to contain it and protect surrounding buildings. Despite the heroic efforts, the tragedy deepened as three civilians, including a resident and two passersby, were also confirmed injured and taken to hospitals.
As dawn approached, the aftermath became clear—residents of the building had lost everything. The community, shocked by the scale of the disaster, quickly rallied together, offering shelter, meals, and other forms of assistance to those affected. Social media became a hub for organizing help, with people listing what they could provide to the victims.
The local government responded swiftly, with the Greater Poland Voivode announcing immediate financial aid of up to 6,000 PLN for each person affected by the fire and explosion. Further support is being coordinated in collaboration with city authorities to address the ongoing needs of those displaced by the disaster.
The investigation into the exact cause of the explosion is ongoing, with initial suspicions focusing on a gas cylinder, but officials stress that a full understanding will only come after thorough expert analysis.
The scale of this tragedy has left a deep scar on the Jeżyce district, as the community comes to terms with the devastating events of that night.
