Violent Fire at Giurgiu Recycling Plant; RO-ALERT Issued Due to Smoke

A significant fire broke out Saturday night at a waste recycling depot in the village of Zorile, Giurgiu county, Romania. The blaze ignited in the yard of a facility that processes plastic and polyethylene waste, rapidly engulfing an area of about 5,000 square meters.

The intensity of the fire generated a large volume of smoke, prompting authorities to issue a RO-ALERT emergency message. This warning was directed at residents in the nearby communities of Grădinari and Buturugeni, advising them of the situation. The Environmental Guard was also notified.

Emergency services responded swiftly, deploying a substantial contingent of resources. Seven fire engines, two water tankers, a specialized vehicle with a hydro-perforation system, a rescue vehicle, a robot-equipped vehicle, a SMURD ambulance, and a team from the County Ambulance Service were mobilized. Firefighter crews from both ISU Giurgiu and ISU București-Ilfov, along with police officers, are participating in the operation. A bulldozer was also utilized to clear access routes to the affected areas.

Firefighting efforts are proceeding on multiple fronts, with crews working to protect nearby residential areas. While the fire has been localized, the operation is ongoing. The complete extinguishment of the fire and the elimination of all risks are expected to take time, given the substantial quantity of plastic waste present at the site. Residents are advised to avoid the area, keep their windows closed, and refrain from exposing themselves to the smoke.