A massive industrial fire erupted at the DBW production facility located in Cigacice, Lubusz Voivodeship, on the afternoon of February 8, 2023, just before 1 p.m. The blaze quickly escalated, creating thick plumes of smoke visible from several kilometers away, and leading to the deployment of multiple emergency service units.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with several explosions reported from within the building as the fire spread rapidly after the flames ignited. "The fire was already well advanced before the first firefighting units arrived, and it was coming out through the roof," Piotr Kowalski, spokesman for the Zielona Góra fire department, stated. This alarming development illustrated the severity of the event, forcing fire crews to act swiftly.
Firefighters faced one of their most challenging scenarios—combattng flames within the warehouse, which housed heating oil, complicatng their efforts. Arkadiusz Kaniak, spokesman for the Lubusz Voivodeship State Fire Service (PSP), indicated, "We are dealing with a significant fire. The initial reports suggested the presence of oil tanks inside the facility, which created additional hazards for the responding units."
Around 20 firefighting units, including both professional and volunteer fire crews, were mobilized to the scene. Among them, responders included several trucks equipped with water tanks. Emergency services worked diligently to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.
Simultaneously, the local authorities, under the leadership of Sulechów Mayor Wojciech Sołtys, issued urgent safety warnings. “The Crisis Management Team urges residents to tightly close windows and doors to minimize exposure to smoke. This warning is pertinent for anyone located within the areas affected by the smoke,” Sołtys communicated via social media.
While the fire rapidly developed, initial evacuation efforts were successful. Seven individuals managed to escape the burning building prior to the arrival of emergency responders. Unfortunately, one person sustained injuries and required immediate medical assistance from on-site rescue personnel. Thankfully, reports indicate no serious injuries have been noted so far.
Progress on-site was described as dynamic, with firefighting crews insisting on vigilance against potential flare-ups as they battled the flames. “The situation is still not under control, but we are working hard. Our primary focus remains on suppressing the fire and ensuring it doesn't spread to other neighboring facilities,” underscored Kaniak.
Local residents have been cautioned about the dangerous air quality due to smoke and fire emissions, leading to concerted efforts by both local government and emergency services to keep the public informed. An atmosphere of urgency prevailed as both the community and firefighters navigated the crisis collectively. The extent of damage inflicted upon the facility and the cause of the fire remained unclear at this point, with investigations expected to follow after the situation is brought under control.
Around 4:30 p.m., updates from the local fire service suggested some control over the fire had finally been established, allowing crews to focus on finalizing the suppression of any remaining hotspots and ensuring public safety.
With firefighters continuing to monitor the situation, the prospect of recovery and assessment of damages at the DBW facility is now being prepared. DBW Polska, known for manufacturing high-quality products from glass fiber and metals for automotive and other sectors, is facing significant operational impacts due to this incident.
This fire tragedy emphasizes the importance of safety protocols and quick, effective responses from local authorities and firefighting units when facing such hazardous incidents. The aftermath of the fire will inevitably lead discussions around preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences.