Firefighter hit by brick as crowd turns aggressive in Argeș county, Romania

A fire turns into a confrontation

On Sunday evening, 25 October 2026, a crew from the Pitești detachment of ISU Argeș was sent to put out a blaze in Ștefănești, a town in Argeș county. The county police inspectorate (IPJ Argeș) said the fire had got out of control in the village of Zăvoi, where residents were holding unauthorised traditional celebrations. ProTV reported that the bonfire, known as Focul lui Sumedru, was fed with old mattresses, tyres and household waste. It described the custom as one held on the eve of St Dumitru. ISU Argeș said several people at the scene behaved aggressively toward both the intervention crews and the fire engine.

The injured firefighter

ISU Argeș said one of its firefighters was struck by a blunt object thrown by one of the people present. A SMURD crew gave him medical help, and he was then taken to hospital for specialist tests. Raed Arafat, head of the Department for Emergency Situations, told Digi24 that, based on the information he had, the firefighter had been hit in the chest with a brick. He said the injured man was not in critical condition, although he had been transferred to hospital. ProTV reported that some of the crowd also used pitchforks and stones, and that the windows of two vehicles were smashed.

Police response and detentions

Police said officers from the Special Actions Service, the Pitești municipal police, the Ștefănești town police and gendarmes were sent to the scene, and that they restored order. According to ProTV, the firefighters had defended themselves with water hoses while they waited for help, and the arrival of officers did not immediately end the disturbance. Three people were handcuffed and taken to hearings. ProTV reported that the person who struck the firefighter is being investigated, among other things, for ultraj, a charge covering insults to officials. Police said the investigation was continuing and that more people involved could still be identified.

Official reaction

Arafat wrote on Facebook that he had learned with concern about the incident and condemned any form of aggression against rescuers on missions. He also wrote that the vehicles of firefighters and police must be respected. He added a line about why:

“Firefighters and police officers come to protect lives and property.”

He went on to say that the vehicles are needed for the work of interventions:

“Their vehicles must be respected and protected, because interventions and the safety of people in danger depend on them.”

In the Digi24 interview, Arafat said he did not have enough information to establish what triggered the aggression. Asked whether the incident was linked to disinformation or to a similar case in Cluj county, he said he could not say. He added that grievances should be expressed through legal channels.

What happens next

Arafat said police would identify those responsible and would most likely send them to court. IPJ Argeș said checks were continuing to clarify all the circumstances of the incident and the legal measures to be taken. Two vehicles were damaged: an unmarked police car and a firefighting appliance. The firefighter's condition, as reported, was not critical.