Over 350-Year-Old Wooden Church in Maramureș Engulfed by Flames; Spire at Risk of Collapse

A fierce fire consumed a wooden church, over 350 years old, in the village of Posta, Maramureș County, Romania, on Friday morning. The flames quickly spread throughout the entire structure, including its towering 25-meter-high spire, which now faces an imminent risk of collapse.

The alert was raised around 4:00 AM, prompting a significant mobilization of emergency forces. Three water and foam extinguishing units, a high-altitude rescue ladder, two SMURD first-aid teams, a water tanker, and two command vehicles were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a fully engulfed structure burning violently over an area of approximately 200 square meters.

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and extinguish the remaining hotspots, battling the constant danger posed by the fire-weakened structure. The cause of the fire and the extent of the damages have not yet been determined by authorities.

The church, dedicated to "Saint Elijah," dates back to 1675 and is listed as a historical monument. It stands as a valuable example of traditional Maramureș architecture.