Fire breaks out on PKP Intercity train at Dębica station; 150–250 passengers evacuated, driver treated for smoke inhalation
A passenger train on the Hrubieszów–Kraków route caught fire at Dębica station on Monday evening, forcing the evacuation of up to 250 people. The driver was treated for smoke inhalation, while passengers awaited replacement buses in the station building.
Incident report
A PKP Intercity train, the "Kasztelan" (service number 23110) travelling from Hrubieszów to Kraków Główny, stopped at Dębica station on the evening of 29 June 2026 after crew reported a burning smell and smoke from under one of the carriages. The fire was located in the 11th carriage of the train, which was at platform 2. Passengers self-evacuated before firefighters arrived. PKP Intercity said about 150 people were on board, while fire service reports put the number at about 250 passengers evacuated. All travellers got out safely and were directed to the air-conditioned station building.
Emergency response
The fire was reported at 19:47 local time. Nine fire engines were dispatched from across the local area. By the time crews arrived, the passengers had already left the train and the train crew had used dry-powder extinguishers. Firefighters found elevated temperatures in the undercarriage and quickly brought the situation under control.
Before the firefighters arrived, about 250 passengers had evacuated from the train.
Injuries and treatment
A member of the train crew, the driver, suffered smoke inhalation and was treated by an ambulance team at the scene. There was no immediate word on whether he required hospitalisation. While one early report said no one was hurt, the fire service confirmed one person was affected. No passengers reported injuries.
Transport disruption and passenger accommodation
The incident halted all rail traffic in both directions on the Kraków–Rzeszów line, blocking the track toward Rzeszów. Work was underway later in the evening to introduce single-line shuttle working. Passengers waited for replacement bus transport in the station building. Dębica's mayor said the town was ready to provide overnight accommodation if needed.
The fire has been extinguished, services are on site. There were about 150 people on board. All travellers were safely evacuated and, under the care of the conductor's crew, moved to the air-conditioned station building, where they are waiting for replacement bus transport.
Investigation
The cause of the fire is not yet known. A special commission has been set up to examine the circumstances of the incident.
