Warsaw fire destroys Ford dealership and workshop, 38 fire units battle blaze

Fire breaks out at car complex

At 5:09 am on Thursday, 23 July, Warsaw emergency services received the first call about a fire at a car workshop and dealership complex on ul. Krasnobrodzka in the Targówek district. The blaze broke out between 5 and 6 am and quickly engulfed a building measuring 80 by 40 metres (3,200 square metres) that housed a Ford dealership, a workshop, and used car lots. One source estimated the total affected area at 3,500 square metres, while another reported over 1,000 square metres of buildings destroyed. Witnesses heard loud explosions from inside as vehicles and parts ignited. Cars parked in front of the building also caught fire, and firefighters worked to extinguish several burning vehicles. Thick black smoke rose high above the city, visible from the S8 expressway at the Łabiszyńska junction and from central Warsaw, with residents posting videos on social media.

It's burning in front of the petrol station towards the centre. It's already hard to breathe.

A listener of RMF FM described the scene as the fire raged near a petrol station.

Firefighting response

The Warsaw Municipal Fire Service dispatched 38 fire units to the scene, along with a specialist chemical rescue group, aerial platforms, and reconnaissance drones. Additional support was sent from the provincial command. Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjacent buildings, including the nearby petrol station. By mid-morning, open flames had been largely suppressed, but the fire had not yet been fully localised. No injuries were reported among residents or firefighters.

The firefighting operation is ongoing at the workshop and connected car dealership on Krasnobrodzka Street in Warsaw's Targówek.

Asp. Łukasz Wujek, press officer of the Warsaw Municipal Fire Service, confirmed the scale of the operation. St. kpt. Wojciech Gralec, spokesman for the State Fire Service, said atmospheric conditions were helping the smoke disperse upwards, reducing ground-level risk.

Atmospheric conditions are fortunately helping the smoke rise to higher layers of the atmosphere.

Public safety and traffic

Police officers from the Warsaw VI District Police, supported by traffic and prevention units, secured the area and urged residents to avoid ul. Krasnobrodzka. A police statement said: "Officers from the Warsaw VI District Police are participating in the securing operation, supported by officers from the Traffic Department of the Warsaw Police Headquarters and the Police Prevention Unit." Despite the large-scale operation, traffic on the nearby S8 expressway continued normally. Local roads, however, experienced some disruption. Authorities warned that the smoke could contain toxic substances from burning plastics and fuel, but said the immediate health risk was low.

Investigation and next steps

The cause of the fire remains unknown. Officials said a thorough investigation will begin once the fire is fully extinguished and the site can be safely examined. The exact cause will be determined after the firefighting operation concludes and experts examine the scene.