VIDEO: Major fire destroys Vjesnik building in Zagreb

(Photo: Vatrogasna postrojba Zagreb/Facebook)

A major fire broke out late on Wednesday at the Vjesnik skyscraper on Slavonska Avenue in Zagreb, with flames spreading rapidly up the building’s façade and reaching several upper floors, including the roof.

The incident, which began shortly before 11 p.m., prompted a large-scale response from Zagreb’s fire service.

At one point, 93 firefighters with 30 vehicles were fighting the fire.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, speaking in Vukovar where he was attending the commemorations for Remembrance Day of the Vukovar Victims, said that the cause of the fire remains unknown for now.

He noted that Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić had remained in Zagreb to follow the situation closely.

“Thanks to the courage of the firefighters, police officers, and all the services involved, the fire has now been extinguished and is under control,” the Prime Minister said.

He emphasised that the most important fact is that there were no casualties, although the extent of the material damage is clearly substantial.

The state is a co-owner of the Vjesnik business complex, alongside several other legal entities. The government confirmed that relevant ministries will move swiftly to assess the damage and begin the restoration process.

In a statement, the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Assets said the cause of the fire will be determined by an upcoming investigation.

As a precaution, both gas and electricity were disconnected in the building to prevent further damage. The Ministry also expressed thanks to all emergency crews for their rapid and decisive intervention.

The section of the tower affected by the fire is used primarily for archive storage.

The adjacent Vjesnik annex, where ministry staff work, was not impacted by the blaze.

The building was built in 1972 (Photo: Ivan Žužak/CC BY 3.0)

The Ministry has pledged to take all necessary steps to ensure that repairs begin as soon as possible and that the entire Vjesnik complex is restored.

The skyscraper was built in 1972. The architect for the building was Antun Ulrich.

It is 67 meters high and has 16 floors, with a ground floor and a high ground floor. At the time of its construction, it was one of the most modern skyscrapers in Europe. It was home to major media house Vjesnik. 

When it was built, Zagreb residents nicknamed it the “chocolate tower” because of its characteristic matte brown and reflective orange windows.