A large fire broke out on August 25 night at a waste-recycling plant in Kaunas. Firefighters were working overnight to contain the fire and prosecutors launched an investigation into its causes and the extent of the damage.
The fire broke out at the site of the waste management company Zalvaris in Palemono Street at around 21:53. The main building where the fire broke out consists of three production warehouses and an administrative building.
According to the Fire and Rescue Department, an area of around 10,000 square metres was on fire. Hazardous waste – old packaging of secondary raw materials, various lubricants in containers, used filters – from all the three warehouses was on fire.
The fire was extinguished by a large firefighting force of more than seven tankers.
On August 25 evening, residents of Kaunas received warning messages about possible air pollution. People were urged to avoid being outdoors and to close their windows. The smell of plastic and burning wires could be felt in the city even in districts far from the fire site.
Officials reported that the fire had been contained on August 26 morning.
Environmental protection officers will assess the environmental damage, the Department of Environmental Protection said.
According to preliminary data, used lubricants, automotive oil filters, polyethylene, plastic, electronic parts and paper were on fire at the plant.
Zalvaris, the company running the waste recycling plant, said on August 26 that the fire consumed 135 tons of paper and 250 tons of plastic.
“The fire spread very quickly, engulfing the entire warehouse and spreading to another nearby building. The fire did not spread to the rest of the territory, it was localised in the warehouses,” Vitoldas Sapoznikovas, CEO of Zalvaris, is quoted in the company’s statement.
“At the moment, no significant changes in the air quality in Kaunas city and surrounding settlements have been detected,” he said.
The company’s CEO said he regretted the accident and would cooperate with the authorities investigating the incident.
The prosecutor’s office said it opened an investigation into the fire.
The investigation will seek to establish the causes of the fire, the extent of the damage and the persons responsible, the Prosecutor General’s Office has said.
“The violation of the rules on environmental protection and the maintenance and use of buildings where hazardous materials are stored could have caused serious damage to people and the natural environment,” it said. (LRT/Business World Magazine)