Zlín fire prompts demolition order for damaged Bata complex building

A major fire broke out on 9 July in building 34 of the former Bata industrial area in central Zlín. The blaze started in the ninth‑floor shoe‑warehouse of the Vasky company, spread to upper floors and the roof, and caused two partial collapses, leaving roughly half of the high‑rise structure standing. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters fought the fire for nearly two weeks and declared the incident fully extinguished on 23 July, after which the area remained cordoned off and monitored with drones equipped with thermal imaging. The building is owned by the company Cream, which has indicated readiness to take possession and arrange demolition. The Zlín building authority issued an immediate demolition order for the remaining structure and mandated fencing and security cameras.

The fire caused extensive material losses. Vasky reported about 75 000 pairs of shoes and related merchandise worth CZK 150‑180 million. Alpine Pro estimated damages exceeding CZK 500 million, while the parcel‑delivery firm Packeta (Zásilkovna) lost roughly 9 000 shipments. Police and fire investigators are examining the cause as possible criminal negligence, with suspects facing up to five years in prison.