Poland: fire at PCC Rokita chemical plant in Lower Silesia

A fire broke out at the PCC Rokita chemical plant in Brzeg Dolny, Lower Silesia, on Sunday, April 20. The blaze started in a storage area where plastic containers filled with organic semi-finished products were kept and soon spread to other parts of the plant, producing a thick plume of black smoke visible from miles away. Dozens of firefighters from the surrounding region responded to the emergency and extinguished the fire after two hours of intense work. Two firefighters sustained light injuries and received prompt medical assistance onsite. After resolving the emergency, firefighting crews remained at the plant to conduct air quality measurements and assess any potential contamination from the incident. A specialized chemical group from Wrocław was also deployed to the site to further assess the materials involved in the fire. Their initial report indicated that about half of the stored containers were destroyed in the blaze.
During the fire, local authorities quickly implemented safety measures, closing roads around the plant and restricting access to the area to non-authorized persons. PCC Rokita is one of Poland’s largest chemical companies and has been operating for over 75 years, establishing a significant presence in several industry sectors. Its plant in Brzeg Dolny is classified as a high-risk one due to the dangerous substances it handles, including chlorine and hydrogen. These materials can pose serious health and environmental risks. However, preliminary assessments indicated that the substances involved in the fire did not pose a direct threat to the public, alleviating some concerns among nearby residents. The quick intervention of firefighters and emergency responders seems to have avoided the worst and ensured the safety of the surrounding area.