Home / Business and Politics / Fire Consumes Vjesnik: Blaze Erupts in Multiple Locations, Cause Currently Unknown

Fire Consumes Vjesnik: Blaze Erupts in Multiple Locations, Cause Currently Unknown

Požar na Vjesnikovom neboderu
Požar na Vjesnikovom neboderu / Image by: foto Ratko Mavar

In one of the symbols of Zagreb and the cradle of modern journalism in Croatia, the Vjesnik skyscraper, a fire broke out late Monday evening. Zagreb firefighters have been battling the blaze throughout the night, and it is estimated that extinguishing it will take all day.

– It is expected that extinguishing will last throughout the day. The most important thing is that there are no human casualties and no danger to citizens – announced Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević on social media Tuesday morning after visiting the fire site. Tomašević emphasized the exceptional complexity of extinguishing such a fire and the safety of firefighters, to whom he expressed gratitude.

Regarding the complexity of extinguishing this fire, the commander of the City of Zagreb Fire Department Siniša Jembrih spoke to Croatian Radio. After the report of the fire, firefighters, he says, ‘rushed to the top’ and began extinguishing, but at that moment they saw that it was also burning below them, which he emphasizes is extremely dangerous and ‘it was burning in multiple places’.

– This may indicate that there was some catastrophic error, or something with the installations, so those installations caused a fire throughout the vertical of the building, which is extremely dangerous – stated Jembrih, as reported by Hina.

Tomašević also noted in his statement that, according to what he saw, ‘the damage is total’, but he expressed confidence that the state and other owners would initiate the restoration of the building, one of the symbols of Zagreb, as soon as possible.

The majority owner of the Vjesnik skyscraper is the state, which holds a 63.73 percent stake. VLM Cvjetno nekretnine, owned by Večernji list, has an 11.09 percent stake, FNG Nekretnine, owned by Fortenova, holds 10.96 percent, Allegheny Financial Damira Farkaša possesses 7.06 percent, the Croatian Olympic Committee has 4.83 percent, Plavi radio has 1.01 percent, while Krešo Čuljak owns 1.32 percent.

On behalf of the majority owner, the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property issued a statement this morning. They also thanked all emergency services – the police and the City of Zagreb Fire Department, and all firefighters who immediately responded to the scene and are making exceptional efforts to bring the fire under control.

– The cause of the fire is currently unknown, and the investigation will reveal how it occurred. Gas and electricity have been turned off in the building to prevent further damage. Fortunately, there are no injuries. The Republic of Croatia is a co-owner of the Vjesnik Business Complex along with other legal entities. The part affected by the fire is used for housing the archive, while the side part of Vjesnik (the so-called annex) used by the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property for the work of officials was not affected by the fire. The Ministry will take all necessary actions to promptly address the damage and restore the entire complex – stated the ministry.

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