Huge Fire Overcomes Food Processing PlantHuge Fire Overcomes Food Processing Plant

Over 200 firefighters battled a fire that swept through a food processing plant in Malec, close to the southern Polish town of Oświęcim, on Saturday.

According to TVP World, the fire is believed to have caught hold at 2 a.m. and quickly spread from one production hall to another. According to initial reports, 99 workers were safely evacuated before fire crews arrived.

The halls belong to a company that produces popular snacks, including breadsticks.

The State Fire Service reported on social media that "firefighting operations are currently being carried out by approximately 50 fire brigades, including SGRChem - Specialist Chemical Rescue Group," reported Rzeczpospolita local news.

“As a result of the fire, the roof of the hall where the fire first broke out has collapsed. Unfortunately, the fire is repading and a second hall has now been engulfed in flames; we are now defending the third hall so that the fire does not spread further," said Małopolska Fire Department Junior Captain Hubert Cieply.

He added that the weather and high temperatures have exacerbated the situation.

The cause of the fire remains unknown, as is the fire's starting point.

“We hope to locate the source of the first soon,” said Ciepły, “but right now the main goal is to defend the third hall which is nearby. At the moment the situation is dynamic.”