A huge fire broke out in a plastic recycling factory in Osijek, eastern Croatia, in the early hours of today, October 4. The plastic factory complex, Drava International, has recycled post-consumer PET since 2008, having entered the recycling business with LDPE in 2004. The factory transforms around 25,000 tonnes of PET bottles into rPET flakes per year, according to an employee’s LinkedIn profile.
The Associated Press (AP) reported that local authorities asked residents to remain indoor and keep their windows shut. Emergency services said that large amounts of plastics stored in an open area were on fire, making it difficult for firefighters to control the raging blaze, and sending thick dark smoke high in the air.
“The temperature is unbelievable, horrible,” the AP reported Boris Banjan, deputy commander of the regional firefighting unit, as saying. “Our equipment is melting.”
Croatian HRT television reported that three firefighters have been injured so far, with one in serious condition. The report said firefighters managed to take out large amounts of flammable liquid from the fire zone, preventing further incidents. Local police reported that the fire forced the closure of a road, with some schools cancelling classes today.