A major fire engulfed a vast shopping complex in the Polish capital of Warsaw on Sunday morning. The complex, known as Marywilska 44, housed approximately 1,400 shops and service outlets, with many of the vendors being of Vietnamese descent.
The fire, which started around 3:30 a.m. local time, resulted in more than 80% of the complex being consumed by flames, causing the roof to collapse. Despite the extensive damage, no injuries were reported by the authorities.
Traders, particularly those of Vietnamese origin, were devastated by the loss of their businesses and livelihoods. Some vendors attempted to enter the complex to salvage their goods but were prevented from doing so by security guards.
The Association of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs in Poland expressed deep concern over the financial losses suffered by the merchants, describing the incident as a 'terrible tragedy' for thousands of individuals and their families.
Emergency response teams, including chemical and environmental specialists, were deployed to the scene to combat the blaze. Residents of Warsaw were advised to stay indoors with windows closed as a precautionary measure.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Warsaw police. Mirbud, the industrial construction company that owns the shopping center, is expected to cooperate with authorities in determining the origin of the fire.
In response to the crisis, the Warsaw city administration announced plans to discuss financial assistance for the small traders affected by the incident. While larger retail establishments are typically closed on Sundays due to trading restrictions, small businesses are permitted to operate, leading to the presence of numerous vendors at the complex during the fire.
