On August 30, firefighters from Różyniec were dispatched to a garden-shed fire in the village of Krzyżowa.

The danger was eliminated; fortunately, no one was injured.

Garden-shed fires are fairly common in Poland, especially during the summer and autumn. They most often occur in allotment gardens (ROD), where sheds serve recreational purposes, but are also frequently used to store gardening equipment or flammable materials.

The causes of such fires vary:

  • careless handling of fire (e.g. a barbecue, bonfire or cigarette butt);
  • faulty electrical installations or makeshift power connections;
  • arson—unfortunately, a common cause in practice, particularly in allotment-garden areas;
  • the storage of flammable materials (e.g. wood, fuel or paint).

Garden-shed fires are dangerous because they often spread very quickly and can reach neighboring plots; firefighters also have difficulty accessing the scene (narrow paths and no access for heavy equipment).

According to State Fire Service statistics, every year in Poland there are hundreds of interventions related to garden-shed fires, and in some cases the fire causes not only property damage but also a threat to life—especially when someone is spending the night on the plot.