Massive fire in Osijek, flames engulf plastic processing company

(Patria) - A massive fire broke out overnight at the plastic processing company "Drava International" in Osijek.

Thanks to the relocation of flammable substances and liquids from the company premises, a larger catastrophe was prevented, the Osijek-Baranja Civil Protection Headquarters announced.

The fire broke out after midnight at the landfill of stored plastic of the company "Drava International" at the exit from Osijek towards Brijest. The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

Head of the Headquarters Mato Lukić told reporters that the wind, which intensified around 4 a.m., does not allow extinguishing the fire of stored plastic, which is currently being fought by about 100 firefighters with about 50 vehicles.

On the ground are the public fire departments of Osijek and Beli Manastir, as well as 21 volunteer fire departments from the area of Osijek and its surroundings.

- The situation is still not satisfactory, we cannot say that the fire is extinguished, and that the smoke has decreased, but the fire has slowed down.

We can say that a larger catastrophe has been prevented, because the facilities of this company are full of flammable liquids and substances, which were being relocated during the extinguishing, to prevent a larger tragedy - added Lukić.

He assessed that the extinguishing will likely take a long time, both due to the wind and the nature of the burning material, which is compressed plastic.