Thick smoke has risen over the south of Osijek in eastern Croatia after a recycling depot full of plastic caught fire
A huge fire has erupted at a recycling depot full of plastic in Osijek, eastern Croatia, where, due to the thick smoke, the schools from the neighboring settlements of Antunovac, Ernestinovo, Ivanovac, Laslovo, Cepin and Vuka, did not work on Wednesday morning and pupils stayed at home.
All firefighters in the county are engaged. Photo:Osijek-Baranja County
The fire affected several thousand square meters of stored plastic. The fire is still not under control, and on Wednesday morning it spread to the company’s production facility. The burning of plastic produced a large amount of smoke and toxic gases that spread due to strong winds.
The fire affected several thousand square meters of stored plastic. Photo: Osijek-Baranja County
“In the facility itself, there were various stored gases and flammable liquids, which are used in the process of production and processing of plastics, so from the very beginning we had the challenge of how to move it, and it was moved to a safe part, which was not affected by the fire”, Deputy Mayor of Osijek Dragan Vulin said.
He noted that the exact cause of the fire is not yet known and will be determined by an investigation. The fire broke out further from the production plant at the external plastic disposal site. Firefighters removed 1,500 liters of sodium hydroxide and 1,000 liters of hydrochloride from the site.
Cause of the fire is not yet known and will be determined by an investigation. Photo:Osijek-Baranja County
“We are aware that, given the size of the fire, putting it out could take several days,” said Vulin. On the ground are all the firefighters from Osijek, neighbouring Beli Manastir, and 21 volunteer fire companies from the area of Osijek and its surroundings.
The smoke could be seen for miles. Photo: Osijek-Baranja County
Vulin urged all citizens of Osijek and the surrounding area to stay outdoors as little as possible. Those who have respiratory issues should take special care, and everyone should close the windows in their houses due to the possible harmful effects of gases, he added.
Drava International is a plastic processing plant. Photo: Osijek-Baranja County
Due to the large fire and smoke, the Civil Protection Disturbance System sent an SMS message to the residents of Osijek on Wednesday morning: “We ask the citizens to close their windows and not go outside unless absolutely necessary due to the possible harmful effect of gases due to the fire.”
Firefighters removed 1,500 liters of sodium hydroxide and 1,000 liters of hydrochloride from the site. Photo:D.Vulin/FB
Source : Balkan Insight
