Gas explosion in Silesia injures five and stretches emergency resources

Fire brigades and special brigades from all over the country are still fighting a fire which started on Sunday morning following a gas explosion in the Southern Silesian village of Wierzchowice. The blast destroyed a gas drilling tower and fire crews are fighting to protect a second tower 30-40 meters away. A 60-meter column of fire and smoke is visible for several kilometers yet despite fears that the blaze may worsen as a result of high winds, no one has yet been killed, although five fire-fighters have been injured. A specially-established commission will try to identify the cause of the explosion within the coming few days. (Zycie, p 5) A.L