Storm and strong winds prompt evacuation of buildings near burning high-rise in Zlín

On Sunday afternoon, authorities began evacuating buildings near the burning Building No. 34 of the former Svit industrial complex in Zlín, citing the threat of strengthening winds during an approaching storm. According to Kamil Guštiak, spokesperson for the Zlín Region fire brigade, the decision to evacuate was made after wind speeds exceeded the threshold set by structural engineers as safe for the damaged building.

Meteorologists had issued a warning for the Zlín Region on Sunday for severe thunderstorms with gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour. Structural engineers assessed that winds of even around 40 kilometres per hour could already pose a risk to the stability of the charred frame of the building, part of the former Baťa factory complex.

After 4 p.m., firefighters reported that four buildings neighbouring the burning high-rise had been evacuated. Three of them turned out to be empty, while four people were evacuated from the fourth, Guštiak said.

Three fire crews are currently continuing to battle the blaze — down from six on Saturday. The reduction in deployed units reflects the fact that temperatures at the site have dropped. Firefighters are nevertheless still using thermal-imaging drones to locate hotspots, which are then targeted with water jets. According to the fire brigade, Sunday's storm could still significantly affect the situation.

Firefighters are measuring wind strength using equipment from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute. The area around the partially collapsed building remains closed off. The fire service says it cannot yet predict how much longer the firefighting operation will continue.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz