FIRE AT THE COMPANY PREMISES OF EKOSISTEMI IN ZALOG

Abstract

Fires at industrial plants can be a serious challenge for emergency responders, since these plants are usually large complexes carrying out various different activities and consequentially using various different substances. Firefighting units are mostly familiar with up-to-date fire plans of buildings, but in reality, the actual situation in the field may differ from the one outlined in the plan. Fire plans are relatively static documents; in contrast, everyday “live” processes take place in companies, causing certain deviations from the written plan, either by accident or on purpose. When the management of a company are unaware of the responsibility they have towards their employees and the community concerning the provision of fire protection, the number of risks increases. On 20 July 2017, a fire broke out at the company Ekosistemi, d.o.o. Firemen fought the fire for five days in intense heat and wind, which kept changing direction unpredictably during the first day, making the operation even more difficult. In addition to the unfavourable weather conditions, the emergency response was hindered by the deposited waste covering a vast area, and the fact that firemen did not know what type of waste they were actually dealing with while extinguishing the fire.