Firefighters and police in Kraków have injured five people—including at least one officer—while battling a blaze at the Rynek Underground museum beneath the city’s main square, officials confirmed. The fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. local time on Saturday, sending thick smoke through ventilation shafts and forcing the evacuation of approximately 200 visitors and staff. Emergency services report two civilians and three responders suffered smoke inhalation; all were transported to nearby hospitals, though none are in life-threatening condition.
The fire originated in a storage area adjacent to the museum’s medieval exhibit hall, according to Małopolska Fire Brigade spokesperson Paweł Nowak. Flames spread rapidly through wooden support structures and electrical wiring, complicating containment efforts. Firefighters deployed three ladder trucks and six ground units, while police cordoned off a 300-meter perimeter around the market square, diverting tram and pedestrian traffic.
Investigators from the State Fire Service have launched a probe into potential electrical faults or arson, though no official cause has been determined. The museum, which spans 4,000 square meters beneath Kraków’s historic Rynek Główny, houses artifacts dating to the 12th century and remains closed indefinitely pending structural assessments. City officials estimate preliminary damages at over 10 million złoty (€2.3 million).
The incident marks the second major fire in a European underground museum this year, following a January blaze at the Hamburg Dungeon that injured 12. Kraków’s mayor, Jacek Majchrowski, announced plans for an independent safety audit of all subterranean cultural sites in the city, citing "unacceptable risks to both heritage and public safety."