Warsaw city bus catches fire on Aleja Stanów Zjednoczonych, 20 passengers evacuate before blaze destroys rear

The incident

A fire broke out on a municipal bus travelling along Aleja Stanów Zjednoczonych in Warsaw's Praga-Południe district on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The blaze started in the rear of the vehicle shortly before 19:00, according to multiple reports. The bus, operating on line 411, was a gas-powered Solbus from 2015, vehicle number 7305, owned by Miejskie Zakłady Autobusowe (MZA) and based at the Ostrobramska depot.

Flames quickly engulfed the rear section, sending thick black smoke over the eastern side of the Vistula river. The fire also spread to recently installed acoustic screens along the road; at least four screens burned completely and two more were scorched. Explosions were heard during the fire, likely caused by bursting tyres.

Evacuation and injuries

All passengers left the bus on their own before emergency services arrived. The vehicle was carrying approximately 20 people at the time. No injuries were reported.

“The vehicle was carrying 20 people, all of whom left on their own before our arrival. The rear part of the bus burned completely.”

“The fire occurred on bus line 411. No passengers were injured. As a result of the fire, the rear part of the bus was largely destroyed, the front suffered less. The bus was towed away.”

Emergency response

The fire brigade received the first call around 18:40. Three firefighting units and an operational group from the Warsaw municipal commander were dispatched. The fire was localised and brought under control, with crews continuing cooling and extinguishing operations into the evening. Police secured the area and redirected traffic.

Traffic disruption

The fire completely blocked the eastbound carriageway of Trasa Łazienkowska towards Grochów and the Wiatraczna roundabout. A traffic jam of about four kilometres formed. Westbound traffic towards Śródmieście was unaffected. Warsaw Public Transport diverted nine bus lines (141, 143, 182, 188, 502, 514, 520, 523, 525) and closed the Saska 03 and 04 stops on the viaduct over Trasa Łazienkowska.

Investigation

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Police are conducting an investigation to determine whether a technical fault or another factor was responsible.