"Only Belarusians are outraged." More than half of a 100,000-strong Polish city left without heating during severe frosts

One of Włocławek's streets. Illustrative photo. Photo: kujawy.info

The problems became known on Monday, February 16. The city hall reported that the cause of the accident was a rupture of a 600 mm diameter pipe — the damage was found in an unfortunate location, approximately 300-400 meters from the city's thermal power plant. The energy system began operating in emergency mode; residents were warned about a decrease in temperature in homes and were asked not to open windows unnecessarily, and to close roller shutters and blinds to reduce heat loss.

On February 18, city authorities announced that heating had been restored to several districts.

"Reports from local utility services were optimistic"

Siarhei's family lives in Poland, for the last year — in Włocławek. This is the first time he has encountered such an accident.

"On Monday (February 16. — Most's note), in the middle of the day, we noticed that the heating was gone. In the evening, we received a message from the school that there would be no classes tomorrow. The kindergarten also asked parents not to bring children. Tuesday was a fun day: we worked together with the children," he recounts. —

Reports from local utility services were optimistic — saying that at midnight they found the location of the accident, prepared something there all night, and have been working since five in the morning to eliminate the consequences. They promised to finish it yesterday evening. But in the evening, we received a similar message that there would be no classes at school again and the kindergarten is asking parents not to bring children. The children are happy, naturally, but the parents — not so much."

Siarhei says that the house where he lives is warm, so the temperature in the apartment is currently plus 19 degrees Celsius. But it is gradually becoming less comfortable.

"My wife has already put on a second sweater," he says. "The communications are optimistic. [They say], everything is fine, everything is under control. Everything will be done quickly, and this [accident] is just a minor inconvenience."

Parents are also concerned that the children are staying at home — it's difficult to work with young children. The older girl is a schoolgirl, and the six-year-old son usually attends kindergarten.

"My daughter can sit calmly, but my son — no, he's a footballer, he needs to move around."

Siarhei was surprised that local residents reacted quite calmly to the situation.

"Only Belarusians are outraged; Poles silently endure. When the kindergarten writes, asking not to bring children, I express indignation. But Poles write: 'Okay, Zosia will stay home.'"

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