Fire destroys 70,000 pairs of shoes at former Bata warehouse in Czech Zlín
A fire at a historic warehouse in Zlín, Czech Republic, destroyed 70,000 pairs of shoes belonging to the Vasky brand, causing an estimated $7 million in damage. No injuries were reported.
The fire
A fire broke out on the ninth floor of a ten-storey warehouse in Zlín on 9 July 2026, spreading rapidly through the building. The structure, known as Building 34, served as a storage facility for the Czech athletic footwear company Vasky. Firefighters declared the highest alarm level, and around 300 personnel with 75 vehicles and two helicopters battled the blaze. Thick black smoke covered the area, prompting authorities to cordon off a large perimeter and advise residents to stay indoors with windows shut.
Building collapse
Part of the building collapsed during the fire, with video footage showing a large section crumbling within seconds. The warehouse was empty at the time, and no injuries were reported. The fire remained uncontrolled into the afternoon, and the building continued to collapse. The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Company response
Vasky founder Václav Staněk estimated the value of destroyed shoes and clothing at about seven million dollars (6.1 million euros).
We lost almost everything and we are facing the most difficult test in Vasky's history. It hurts.
Staněk founded Vasky in 2016 to continue the shoe-making tradition in Zlín, a city with a deep footwear heritage. He said the company, which also produces shoes in neighbouring Slovakia, would continue manufacturing despite the loss.
We lost what we had made, not the reason we do it. We always have the people, the know-how and the will to start from scratch.
Historical context
The warehouse sits on the grounds of the former Bata shoe empire. Tomáš Baťa founded his workshop in Zlín in 1894, building it into a global business. After his death in 1932, his half-brother Jan Antonín Baťa took over, fleeing the Nazi occupation in 1939 and later establishing a thriving operation in Brazil. The Zlín factory was nationalised and renamed Svit after the communist takeover in 1948, and it closed following the 1989 Velvet Revolution. The premises were later renovated to house regional government offices and a museum.
- Tomáš Baťa founds a shoe workshop in Zlín.
- Tomáš Baťa dies; half-brother Jan Antonín Baťa takes over the business.
- Jan Antonín Baťa flees Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia, later settling in Brazil.
- Factory nationalised by the communist government and renamed Svit.
- Velvet Revolution; the factory later closes.
- Václav Staněk founds Vasky to continue Zlín's shoe-making tradition.
- Fire destroys the warehouse, consuming 70,000 pairs of Vasky shoes.
Aftermath
The fire destroyed approximately 70,000 pairs of shoes, with damage estimates reaching 150 million Czech crowns (about 6 million euros). Firefighters continued operations into the evening, and authorities are investigating the cause. Staněk's statement signalled a determination to rebuild, leaning on the company's workforce and expertise.
