A massive fire ripped through a landmark skyscraper in central Zagreb late Monday, severely damaging the building but causing no casualties, according to Croatian officials.
The blaze erupted near the top floors of the 16-story Vjesnik tower — named after a prominent newspaper once headquartered there — and rapidly spread downward, Croatian media reported. Firefighters were unable to enter as flames engulfed multiple levels, with around 100 personnel deployed to contain the blaze.
The tower was nearly empty when the fire started shortly before midnight. By midday Tuesday, firefighters had largely extinguished the flames, although parts of the structure continued to smolder.
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomasevic said the damage appeared “total” after inspecting the site but expressed confidence that reconstruction would begin soon given its prominent location.
Local outlet Index.hr reported that pieces of the tower fell during the fire and that the blaze may have spread through ventilation shafts.