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Fire in Budapest and by Lake Balaton: Flat blaze and vast reed fire lit up the night sky – videos
Two major fires broke out in Hungary on Sunday, one in the heart of the capital and another along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, keeping emergency services busy for hours and drawing widespread attention from residents and onlookers.
Flat fire erupts near Kodály körönd
A large apartment fire broke out in a 100-square-metre flat on Andrássy Avenue, one of Budapest’s most famous boulevards.
According to reports, accumulated clutter inside the apartment caught fire on Sunday, causing the blaze to spread across the entire property. Videos circulating online show heavy smoke and flames pouring from the windows of the historic residential building.
Police, firefighters and ambulance crews were all dispatched to the scene. According to 24.hu, an elderly woman was rescued from the flat and taken to hospital. There have been no indications that the fire spread to neighbouring apartments.
Authorities have launched an investigation on suspicion of causing public endangerment. The incident has also revived memories of a serious fire in the same area more than a decade ago, when part of another landmark building at Kodály körönd suffered extensive damage.
Massive reed bed fire visible across the lake near Fonyód
Meanwhile, a much larger outdoor fire broke out on Sunday evening in reed beds and undergrowth near Fonyód on the southern shore of the lake, Időkép reported.
The blaze started shortly after 8 PM. Strong winds rapidly intensified the flames, allowing the fire to spread quickly across the marshy terrain. The glow of the fire became so large that it was visible even from the northern shore, including from Keszthely.
Webcams and residents captured dramatic footage of the flames lighting up the night sky.
Firefighters from several towns joined the operation, including professional crews and local volunteer units. In total, 29 firefighters battled the blaze. Strong winds significantly complicated the work.
After roughly three and a half hours, crews managed to contain and extinguish the fire, which had affected around 40 hectares of land. No injuries were reported.
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Two demanding operations in one day
Although neither fire resulted in fatalities, both incidents required substantial emergency resources and reminded us of the risks posed by indoor hazards and dry, wind-swept vegetation. Officials are assessing the causes of both fires.