Fire in built environment

A deadly blaze at an unlicensed hostel in Pszów has sparked concerns over safety standards and oversight of accommodation for migrant workers.A tragic fire has claimed the lives of five people at a hostel in the town of Pszów, near Katowice in southern Poland. The blaze broke out late on Sunday evening and was spotted by local fire crews, who arrived to find the entire two-storey building and its roof engulfed in flames.“When firefighters arrived on the scene, the building was already fully ablaze,” said a spokesperson for the fire service. The fire spread rapidly, and it is believed the victims were unable to evacuate in time.Approximately 120 firefighters and 34 fire engines were deployed to tackle the blaze, according to a spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, who shared the update on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).Initial reports suggest the hostel was operating without the proper authorisation. The head of the regional administration confirmed that the owner had no official permit to run the facility. According to broadcaster TVN24, the guests at the hostel were believed to be construction workers.Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the hostel’s operation.