On Sunday, August 16, shortly after 5:00 PM, a large fire broke out in the village of Dunajská Lužná in the Senec district, a few kilometers from Bratislava. The fire covered almost three hectares in the Nové Košariská area: several garden cottages (chaty) burned down, along with cars and dry vegetation. Preliminary damages were estimated at 250,000 euros. Fortunately, no people were injured, reports TA3 citing the police.
Because the fire was close to the tracks, train traffic on this section was completely stopped from 5:23 PM. Those who travel daily by train between Bratislava and the eastern districts waited for several hours: service was restored only late in the evening after the fire was extinguished. We regularly write about changes in train traffic in the transport section.
Why the fire spread so quickly
Firefighting was complicated by heavy smoke and the rapid spread of flames through dry grass. In one of the burned buildings, firefighters found two propane-butane tanks. They had to be removed and cooled to prevent an explosion. Hidden fire spots were searched for by a drone with a thermal camera.
Professional units from Pezinok, Dunajská Streda, Trnava, and Bratislava worked at the site, as well as volunteer fire brigades from 14 surrounding villages, including Hubice, Hviezdoslavov, Miloslavov, Most pri Bratislave, Rovinka, and Šamorín. In total, more than 80 rescuers fought the fire, and the main fire was brought under control in about an hour, reports Pozri.sk.
Arson or carelessness
Early reports mentioned the detention of a man and the version of intentional arson. Official sources do not confirm this yet: according to preliminary investigator data, the cause was careless handling of open fire. The circumstances are still being checked.
If you have a garden cottage or a dacha plot near Bratislava, keep in mind: in hot weather, one careless action with fire is enough to lose property worth hundreds of thousands of euros. Dry vegetation ignites within minutes, and garden cooperatives often stand right next to forest belts and railways.
