Gas leak prompts evacuation of 57 people from Biedronka store near Częstochowa

Refrigeration failure and morning evacuation

On Saturday morning, 3 October 2026, emergency dispatchers in Silesian Voivodeship received an emergency call regarding an incident at a Biedronka supermarket located on Asnyka Street in Olsztyn, near Częstochowa. The alert was logged at 09:48 by the Częstochowa Emergency Medical Station following a suspected technical failure and unsealing of commercial refrigeration equipment inside the building. The malfunction released carbon dioxide into the indoor retail environment, creating a hazard of gas poisoning and oxygen deprivation for those present. Before the arrival of emergency units, approximately 50 customers and seven store staff members exited the facility. In total, 57 individuals were evacuated from the supermarket premises as local emergency procedures commenced.

Fifty people were evacuated from the store. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. Everything points to a failure of one of the devices.

Carbon dioxide exposure and triage

First responders and medical personnel identified at least eight people who were directly exposed to the carbon dioxide leak inside the store. Following an initial medical triage conducted by emergency crews, four individuals reported symptoms consistent with gas exposure and hypoxia. The symptomatic group comprised three female supermarket employees and one female customer shopping at the time of the malfunction. All four individuals experienced headaches, dizziness, and general physical weakness while exposed to the contaminated indoor air. The remaining individuals who evacuated the building showed no immediate medical complications.

After conducting initial medical triage, it was established that four people reported symptoms. These were three store employees and a customer. They complained of headaches, dizziness, and weakness.

Hospital transport and on-site oxygen treatment

During the provision of emergency medical care, the condition of one of the affected women worsened as she experienced acute chest tightness and chest pain. Paramedics stabilized the 52-year-old patient at the scene before an emergency medical team transported her by ambulance to the hospital on Mirowska Street in Częstochowa for diagnostic tests. The other three affected store workers received comprehensive examinations from attending paramedics outside the store. Medical crews administered oxygen therapy on site to treat their hypoxia symptoms, which proved sufficient to stabilize their conditions. Following medical assessments, paramedics determined that none of the three employees required hospital admission and cleared them to remain at the location.

The remaining three affected women were examined by emergency medical teams. During the examinations, oxygen therapy was administered. After assessing their condition, they were left at the scene.

Multi-agency emergency response

The operational response at the Olsztyn store involved resources from emergency medical services, firefighting formations, and local law enforcement. A total of four emergency medical rescue teams deployed to the scene alongside five fire service units, comprising crews from the State Fire Service in Częstochowa and the Volunteer Fire Service in Olsztyn. Officers from the Częstochowa Municipal Police Headquarters secured the perimeter around the supermarket during the operation. Firefighters checked the facility and secured the damaged cooling equipment while medical teams treated the affected individuals. All on-site medical rescue activities concluded shortly after 10:30 on Saturday morning.