The fire quickly engulfed the station’s entire roof. According to preliminary assessments, the building’s wooden structure played a significant role, facilitating the rapid spread of the fire and its extension to the lower floors as well.
It is possible that homeless people accidentally started the fire in the vacant building. So far, no information has been provided about the number of people who may have been injured or about the cause of the fire.
The station, built in the second half of the 19th century, had been abandoned and inadequately secured for years. In recent years, the roof was replaced, which slowed the deterioration of the building. Given the scale of the fire, it is currently impossible to rule out the need to demolish part or all of the structure that does not burn down.
The History of the Station
The station in Leszno Górne began operating as early as 1856. Its design was probably the work of Wilhelm Grapow, who also worked on the design of the railway station building in Wrocław, which is why he gave the station in Leszno a Neo-Gothic character.
In 1905, the building underwent a major reconstruction. It was expanded and its front section enlarged, while retaining the Neo-Gothic style popular at the time. Between 1969 and 1971, the historic building was altered and given a fairly simple, modernist appearance. The last renovation took place between 2010 and 2012, giving the structure a simpler form.