Kaunas waste management fire brought under control after hours of burning

A large fire at a waste processing facility in Kaunas was localized by firefighters on Monday evening, with no reports of injuries, LRT.lt reports.

The blaze broke out just after 5 p.m. at a waste management company on Palemono Street, sending thick black smoke into the sky. Fire crews were dispatched in large numbers to the scene, where witnesses described ash-like debris falling in the surrounding area.

Local residents told LRT.lt that several businesses operate in the area, including the waste processing company Žalvaris, where the fire was believed to have started. The Kaunas Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the location to the Baltic News Service (BNS).

By 8 p.m., authorities announced the fire had been contained after roughly one hour of firefighting efforts. Crews continued with excavation and sorting operations to fully extinguish the blaze. “Pollution is currently localized, but until all the waste is turned over and sorted, there will still be some smoldering,” a rescue service spokesperson told BNS.

No casualties have been reported. Nearby residents received emergency alerts advising them to stay indoors, close windows, and avoid outdoor exposure due to smoke and potential air pollution.

The same facility experienced a major fire in August 2022, when 135 tons of paper and 250 tons of plastic burned in a secondary waste sorting area.

The National Public Health Centre (NVSC) advised residents near the fire to move upwind if outdoors, avoid opening windows or ventilation systems, and keep pets indoors. Symptoms of smoke exposure may include eye, nose, and throat irritation, coughing, shortness of breath, and worsened respiratory conditions.