Devastating explosion in downtown Budapest, multiple injuries, 40 firefighters against the flames – PHOTOS, VIDEOS, UPDATED
A powerful explosion tore through a residential building in central Budapest this afternoon, igniting a fire that caused significant damage and left three people injured. Emergency services, including more than 40 firefighters and 15 fire engines, responded to the scene as flames threatened to engulf additional apartments.
Explosion and fire in Budapest downtown apartment bloc
According to the Budapest Directorate General for Disaster Management, the explosion occurred at a four-storey apartment building located at the corner of Ipar and Vaskapu streets. The incident originated in a first-floor flat, with the subsequent blaze spreading rapidly to neighbouring apartments and the building’s façade, Infóstart reported.
Firefighters deployed six water jets – three inside the apartment and three targeting the exterior – to bring the flames under control. However, large piles of debris in and around the building significantly hampered their efforts.
Following a devastating explosion in a central Budapest apartment building, more than 40 firefighters arrived at the scene with 15 vehicles to tackle the flames. Their efforts were supported by specialists from the Danube Disaster Management Authority. Firefighters inspected the upper floors of the building and escorted a man safely from his fourth-floor flat to the ground floor.
Three people were injured, one taken to hospital
Authorities confirmed that three individuals were injured in the incident. Two received immediate treatment at the scene, while a third was transported to hospital with head injuries.
According to Krisztina Baranyi, the mayor of the 9th district (Ferencváros), all residents were required to leave their apartments, and firefighters had not yet finished their work. The fire affected multiple apartments. She added that three people were lightly injured: two received immediate care on the spot, while the third person was taken to the hospital with head injuries.
Mayor Baranyi added that water and electricity services in the building would remain out of action for at least a week. She reassured residents that the local government was ready to provide temporary accommodation for anyone in need.
UPDATE: Authorities shared the reason of the explosion
According to Blikk, the Hungarian authorities established the cause of the brutal explosion in Budapest’s downtown. They said a gas-fired boiler blew up in one of the apartments. The police said that the firefighters extinguished the fire by Friday evening. They added that residents could return to their apartments to pack and take all their necessary belongings, but then they had to leave the building.
UPDATE 2: 6 apartment uninhabitable
Based on 24.hu, six apartments became uninhabitable partly because of the fire and partly because of the fire extinguishing work. Currently, the building is being examined by a structural engineer. There is no news when residents can move back to their apartments.
Here is a drone video of the fire extinguishing process:
HERE is another video.
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