Dramatic Fire Behind Pepco in Benkovac
An outdoor fire broke out on Tuesday near the bus station, and a swift response by firefighters prevented it from spreading to the nearby shopping center.
An outdoor fire broke out on Tuesday near the bus station, and a swift response by firefighters prevented it from spreading to the nearby shopping center.
Residents of Benkovac were alarmed on Tuesday by a fire that broke out in an open area right next to the bus station. The blaze erupted behind the shopping center housing Pepco and Bipa stores, with thick black smoke and rapidly spreading flames causing concern among passersby.
The flames threatened the building itself and parked cars, but the quick reaction of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to the store. According to available information, the fire started in garbage that was located there, and fortunately, it did not spread further, which is especially important given the current high temperatures.
Police officers from the Benkovac, Obrovac Police Station spotted the fire during a routine patrol on Vukovarska Street at around 3:30 PM. They immediately dispatched firefighters, who fully extinguished the blaze by 4:45 PM. An investigation conducted in cooperation with the fire protection inspector from the Civil Protection Directorate determined that the fire was caused by thermal energy from an open flame or parts of combustible material. The fire spread from a large amount of assorted waste and damaged the store's facade, a nearby parcel locker, and the rear of a car parked nearby.
Material damage will be assessed later. Police officers are conducting further criminal investigation into the criminal offense of endangering life and property by a generally dangerous act or means.
The dramatic moments were captured by reader Ivana Krekić, whose video footage shows the extent of the fire. The footage was published by the portal 023.hr.
