A massive fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon at the historic warehouse located on Siennicka Street, Gdansk Przeróbka, threatening the very existence of one of the region’s significant structures.
The blaze erupted around 1 PM and quickly spread, engulfing approximately two-thirds of the building. Early reports indicated the involvement of up to 150 firefighters fighting the inferno, which developed at the former Railway Repair Plant warehouse operated by CityBike Global, the Spanish operator of the popular MEVO bike rental service.
Witnesses reported chaos inside the warehouse, where around 60 individuals were present when the fire started. "When the fire broke out, I was at my desk. Someone rushed to tell us to evacuate. By the time I got outside, the building was already partially engulfed,” recounted one worker, shedding light on the rapid spread of the flames.
The importance of quick evacuations was underscored by Krzysztof Domagalski from the Municipal Office of Gdansk, who confirmed, "There is no need for evacuations at the local detention center, but we are monitoring safety closely."
Firefighters faced significant challenges due to the nature of materials stored within the building, including electric bikes and lithium-ion batteries. "The fire is developing, and flames are visible through the building's roof," reported Jacek Jakóbczyk from the Gdansk Fire Service. Lithium-ion batteries can burn at temperatures reaching 950 degrees Celsius, complicate their extinguishing process. “Cooling the batteries is prolonged, and the risk of re-ignition remains even after the flames are extinguished,” explained Captain Lukasz Kiedrowicz from the PSP.
Fire crews utilized specialized equipment, including firefighting robots, to aid their efforts. "The robots are dedicated to such fires - large surface fires, so firefighters involved do not risk their lives,” stated Karol Kierzkowski, spokesperson for the Chief Fire Service. “This device not only extinguishes with high efficiency but also pushes obstacles.”
Efforts to contain the fire continued for hours, drawing reinforcements from neighboring regions. Local officials issued alerts to the public about the toxic smoke rising from the scene. Gdansk's Mayor Aleksandra Dulkiewicz urged residents to "close their windows and avoid being outdoors due to the smoke hazards".
The warehouse itself holds historical significance, having been listed as a protected structure since 2002. Marcin Tymiński, spokesperson for the Provincial Conservator of Monuments, expressed deep concern for the loss, saying, "We will probably have to say the hall was unique - especially due to its size - and now the loss is enormous.”
While firefighters struggled against the flames' fury, they also had to contend with unexpected explosions from within the building, raising alarms about the structural integrity of the warehouse. “We can hear explosions; it’s due to the various materials stored inside which are susceptible to combustion,” cautioned Captain Jakub Friedenberger from the Pomeranian Fire Service.
Although the fire claimed significant portions of the warehouse, the diligent work of firefighters aimed to save remaining sections of the structure. “The fire is harsh, but we are doing our utmost to preserve what we can,” added Friedenberger, who provided updates throughout the operation.
CityBike Global confirmed involvement but stated the fire did not ignite directly where MEVO bikes were stored, emphasizing the preservation protocols currently under assessment and safety precautions taken. With 1500 bikes, including over 1300 electric bikes and 1000 batteries, the incident could have widespread impacts on the bike rental service.
Despite the challenges, the firefighting efforts appeared relentless, with hopes to bring the situation under control and prevent any additional structural loss, illuminating the resilient spirit of Gdansk's firefighting community.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation as firefighters managed their extensive operation well after nightfall, promising to keep the public updated on the development.
This event has drawn considerable attention both locally and nationally, exemplifying the dangers associated with fires involving hazardous materials and the historical value of the structures at risk.