Lithuania: Gas rail cars catch fire in Vilnius, eight involved Evacuation ordered amid explosion risk / PHOTO

On September 10, a major fire broke out at a liquefied gas filling station in Vilnius, igniting eight rail cars loaded with gas and triggering explosions, officials reported. 

Authorities ordered the evacuation of people within a one-kilometre radius due to fears of a large-scale blast, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“According to preliminary data, the fire broke out due to violations of working conditions. Police have activated Shield Plan,” Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič told reporters.

The State Border Guard Service is monitoring the site from the air with a helicopter. A transit train bound for Russia’s Kaliningrad region was halted because of the incident and will be rerouted. Two Public Security Service units have been dispatched to guard the train.

Vilnius Mayor Valdas Benkunskas announced on Facebook that traffic was closed on Kirtimų Street and the Eišiškės highway due to the fire.

The General Emergency Centre initially reported one railcar on fire on Baltosios Vokės Street. Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson Edita Zdanevičienė later confirmed that eight gas rail cars were burning and explosions could be heard. Seven fire engines, two water tankers, and two ladder trucks were deployed to contain the blaze. One person was injured.

Residents were warned about possible air pollution and advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors shut, and turn off ventilation or air conditioning systems. Drivers passing near the fire were urged to keep their car windows tightly closed.

State-owned rail operator LTG clarified that the fire was not connected to its operations. “The explosion occurred on private company property, and the burning rail cars also belong to a private company,” the group said in a statement. LTG added that only transit trains were affected and would be redirected through Vilnius while the fire is contained.

Commissioner General Arūnas Paulauskas said over 30 police officers are working at the scene. Officers from the Aras special forces unit are preparing to inspect the site once the fire is localised.

“According to preliminary data, it is most likely a technogenic accident,” Paulauskas said.

He added that when the fire started, a Kaliningrad transit train was nearby and was redirected back to Vilnius station before continuing on an alternate route out of Lithuania.

By Aghakazim Guliyev