Eight people have died in an overnight fire in the second largest city in the Czechia, police said on Thursday.
Key points:
- The fire broke out about two hours after midnight in Brno
- Police suggested those who died were likely homeless people
- Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the blaze
The fire broke out about two hours after midnight in Brno, located 200 kilometres south-east of Prague.
Police suggested those who died were likely homeless people who were occupying abandoned buildings where a new neighbourhood is expected to be built in the coming years.
The fire engulfed around 12 containers on the edge of an apartment complex before being extinguished by early morning, Czech TV reported.
The rescuers said they didn’t find any injured people.
Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of the blaze, they said.
Brno mayor Marketa Vankova called the accident “a big human tragedy” and thanked the firefighters who spent several hours fighting the blaze.
“I am very sorry for everyone who died in the tragic fire in Brno tonight,” Prime Minister Petr Fiala tweeted.
Reuters/AP