A huge fire that broke out in the early morning hours of 8 April completely destroyed the four storey building run by Czech plastics processor Fatra (Napajedla; www.fatra.cz) in the country’s eastern city of Chropyne. Media reports say the damages could run into millions of euros. Thick smoke forced the authorities to evacuate several hundred residents living nearby. Firefighters worked until nightfall to contain the blaze, with some 30 firetrucks and a helicopter battling the flames.

With revenues of EUR 81m, Fatra is considered one of the Czech Republic’s largest plastics processors. Its portfolio includes numerous PVC products, including floor covering, sealing lanes, films, laminate, V-pointed profiles as well as compounds and BOPET film. According to company estimates, roughly half the output is exported.

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Videos of the fire posted on YouTube