Gas tank explosions at Osięciny grain facility injure two and close road 62
A series of gas tank explosions at a grain drying facility in Osięciny injured two people on Friday, prompting the evacuation of a local school and the closure of national road 62.
Explosions at grain drying complex
A fire broke out on Friday, 18 September 2026, at a grain drying plant operated by CZEJ-DAG (also referenced as Seydak) in the village of Osięciny, located in Radziejów County, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Emergency dispatchers received the initial emergency call regarding the blaze at 11:41. The fire reached an installation of pressurized gas storage tanks beside the grain dryer, triggering an initial explosion near 12:00 followed by several successive blasts. The site contained 12 gas tanks in total, ranging in individual capacity between 4,800 and 6,000 liters. Specifically, 10 tanks had a capacity of 6,000 liters each, while two units held 4,800 liters each.
- 6,000-liter capacity
- 10 tanks
- 4,800-liter capacity
- 2 tanks
Emergency response and containment
Emergency services dispatched between 16 and 19 firefighting crews to the scene, drawing units from across Radziejów and Włocławek counties alongside an operational group from the Provincial Headquarters in Toruń. First responders faced severe heat and smoke while extinguishing the main fire front at the facility. Firefighters brought the open fire under control and focused on preventing remaining structures from catching fire. The flames scorched an external wall and structural framework of one grain silo, though neighboring industrial buildings escaped structural damage. Małgorzata Jarocka-Krzemkowska, spokesperson for the Provincial Headquarters of the State Fire Service in Toruń, provided an initial assessment of the incident.
The explosion was sizeable and visible from afar. Two people were injured, including one with burns.
- Emergency dispatchers receive the first report of fire at the grain drying facility
- Initial explosion occurs among gas storage tanks, followed by subsequent blasts
- Fire crews extinguish open flames and use water cannons to cool two unexploded tanks
Casualties and local evacuations
Medical teams treated two people who were injured on the plant premises. One victim suffered burn injuries and was transferred to the care of emergency medical personnel. The second victim suffered severe psychological shock from the event but remained conscious and able to communicate with rescuers. Detonations generated shockwaves that shook windowpanes and walls in adjacent residential neighborhoods, with thick dark smoke rising high enough to be seen from Włocławek. In response to safety concerns, authorities executed a precautionary evacuation of a nearby school and preschool complex. Sławomir Staniszewski, the wójt of Osięciny commune, confirmed that the immediate hazard had been contained.
Transport disruption and investigation
The industrial site is situated close to the intersection of national road 62 (DK62) and voivodeship road 267. To facilitate emergency operations and secure the perimeter, police closed national road 62 in the vicinity of Osięciny and established traffic detours via Jarantowice, Osięciny, and Borucinek, with delays expected for approximately three hours. Fire crews deployed stationary water monitors to prevent unexploded tanks from rupturing under residual heat. Patryk Wojciechowski, press officer for the State Fire Service in Radziejów, detailed the containment effort.
Firefighters are intensively cooling the tanks that did not explode. They are being secured using stationary water cannons.
The exact cause of the ignition remains under investigation by police and fire authorities, though early reporting noted that technical service work was taking place at the facility prior to the explosions.
