Firefighters battle large plastic waste fire in Strzegom; residents told to close windows
A pile of shredded plastics, roughly 50 by 70 metres and up to 8 metres high, caught fire Saturday afternoon at a former railway site in Strzegom, Lower Silesia. Thick smoke prompted authorities to warn residents to stay indoors and seal windows as over 180 firefighters worked overnight to contain the blaze.
Fire breaks out at former railway site
A fire broke out on Saturday 11 July around 17:00 in disused railway buildings adjacent to a huge waste pile in Strzegom, Lower Silesia. The pile, measuring roughly 50 by 70 metres and up to 8 metres high, consisted mainly of shredded plastics, making the blaze extremely smoky and difficult to tackle. The site, located near Aleja Wojska Polskiego and ulica Kolejowa, had no residential buildings in its immediate vicinity, but the wind carried a dense plume of black smoke across the town.
Rapid escalation of the firefighting operation
Firefighters from Świdnica and surrounding areas responded swiftly. According to local media, 14 units were initially dispatched, but the scale of the fire prompted a rapid escalation: by 20:00 there were 80 firefighters on the ground, and by 22:00 that number had grown to 180. At its height, 37 to 40 units (including specialist chemical rescue teams) were deployed. The special group from Wołów monitored air quality throughout the night.
The waste pile measures about 50 by 70 metres and up to 8 metres high. Various shredded and ground wastes, largely plastics, which makes operations difficult, requiring a lot of work in breathing apparatus.
Captain Paweł Szydłowski of the Świdnica PSP told Radio Sudety 24 that the operation would last at least until morning.
We estimate that we will certainly be working at least until morning.
- Fire reported in former railway buildings and waste storage at Strzegom.
- 80 firefighters from PSP and OSP on scene; fire still spreading.
- 180 firefighters and 37 units at peak; chemical rescue group monitors air quality.
- Fire under control but waste pile continues to smoulder; smoke warning remains in place.
Health warning issued to residents
As the burning plastic produced acrid smoke, the fire service issued an urgent alert. Residents in the vicinity were told to close all windows, limit outdoor activity, and follow the instructions of emergency crews. The statement warned that the smoke and combustion products could move with the wind and cause deterioration of air quality, adding that the smoke could irritate respiratory airways. The chemical monitoring team from Wołów continuously measured airborne pollutants. No evacuations were ordered, but the clear message was to stay inside and seal homes.
Suspicions of an illegal waste dump
Radio Wrocław reported that firefighters suspect the site may have functioned as an illegal waste storage facility. The large volume of shredded plastics, apparently stored without oversight, suggests an unregulated collection point. If confirmed, the incident would add to a series of dangerous fires linked to illegal waste storage in Poland. Authorities have not yet commented on the legal status of the site, and an investigation is expected after the fire is fully extinguished.
Ongoing smouldering and investigation
By Sunday morning, 12 July, the main flames were under control, but the fire was not yet fully out. The massive mound of plastics continued to smoulder, generating residual smoke that kept the health advisory in place. Firefighting crews were rotating shifts, bringing in water and using heavy equipment to break apart the debris for thorough damping down. No injuries were reported, and officials said it could take many hours before the site is safe for investigators. Katarzyna Bagniuk, spokesperson for the provincial PSP in Wrocław, confirmed that 37 units had been engaged at the peak and that the fire was contained.
