started · updated
Karlovac industrial fire destroys warehouses and contaminates Mrežnica river
A major industrial fire broke out in the Mala Švarča business zone near Karlovac, Croatia, early in the morning. The blaze originated in a warehouse belonging to Nova Chem, a company specializing in paints and varnishes, and quickly spread to adjacent facilities, including a warehouse owned by Gavranović. Firefighters reported that the Gavranović warehouse was completely destroyed, while approximately 50% of the overall complex was saved.
Authorities issued warnings for residents in Mala Švarča, Mostanja, and Logorišta to keep windows closed and turn off ventilation due to thick smoke and the smell of chemicals. No injuries have been reported. The fire also caused significant disruption, including the closure of the road from Mala Švarča to the GE roundabout and a temporary water supply redirection affecting residents in Logorište, Belajska Poljica, and Mala Švarča.
Environmental concerns have emerged as firefighting water, contaminated with smoke and chemicals, entered the Mrežnica river through an illegal drain. This led to a temporary ban on swimming in the Mrežnica and Korana rivers. Emergency measures, including the installation of booms and temporary dams using humus, were implemented to contain the pollution. Air quality tests conducted by the Institute of Public Health indicated that levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and methane remained within safe limits.
Entities
Damir Mandić · Gavranović · Karlovac · Mala Švarča · Miroslav Rade · Mrežnica · Nova Chem
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] The City of Karlovac issued a warning for residents to close windows and stay indoors due to heavy smoke. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · kaportal.net.hr · www.glasistre.hr
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Approximately 60 firefighters and 10 to 15 vehicles are involved in extinguishing the fire. ogportal.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The road from Mala Švarča to the GE roundabout has been closed. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · www.oslobodjenje.ba
- [● 3 SOURCES] Water supply has been temporarily redirected, leaving residents in Logorište, Belajska Poljica, and Mala Švarča without water. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · www.oslobodjenje.ba
- [● 4 SOURCES] The fire spread to half of the building before being contained. www.actualno.com · www.oslobodjenje.ba · trend.com.hr
- [● 11 SOURCES] The fire spread to a Gavranović company warehouse, burning mixed goods. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · kaportal.net.hr · karlovacki.hr · trend.com.hr · +3 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] Initial reports indicate no injuries have occurred in the fire. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · kaportal.net.hr · karlovacki.hr · www.glasistre.hr
- [● 10 SOURCES] The fire affected a building containing the warehouse and production facilities of Nova Chem, a company specializing in paints and varnishes. ogportal.com · radio-mreznica.hr · kaportal.net.hr · www.oslobodjenje.ba · trend.com.hr · +1 more