Incident Overview

On January 11, a DSV warehouse in Tarnowo Podgórne, near Poznań, was rapidly engulfed by flames. The facility, completed in 2024, stretched roughly 200 meters in length and suffered extensive structural damage as the fire spread with exceptional speed. Around 200 firefighters were deployed to the scene. Due to the steel-frame construction and the risk of structural instability, crews were forced to operate from the outside using aerial platforms and ladder trucks. Strong winds and sub-zero temperatures further hampered firefighting efforts, causing water to freeze on site. The blaze left the 11,000-square-meter warehouse largely destroyed, while nearby trailers and containers were also damaged. No injuries were reported, but losses are estimated at several hundred million zlotys.

      Cause Identified

According to a spokesperson for the Poznań Provincial Police, the fire is believed to have originated from a consignment of lithium batteries used in electric scooters. The batteries were being transported from Germany to Poland, destined for a company in the Mazovia region specializing in the repair and refurbishment of such vehicles. Before delivery could be completed, the batteries reportedly ignited spontaneously inside the warehouse, rapidly setting off widespread combustion of other stored goods.

      Warnings for Hazardous Goods Storage and Cross-Border Transport

The definition of hazardous materials is no longer limited to traditional chemicals. As new-energy products become increasingly embedded in logistics networks, lithium batteries and similar cargo require renewed scrutiny, reclassification, and stricter handling protocols. From transport declarations and warehouse segregation to fire protection systems and emergency planning, any attempt to treat such goods as standard cargo can quickly escalate into a major incident.

For European road freight operations, particularly groupage and consolidated truck services, the incident carries clear implications. Battery shipments are often mixed with general cargo during cross-border road transport. Inadequate declarations, insufficient packaging, or poor segregation at transit hubs can significantly amplify risk. From compliant shipper disclosures to carrier awareness and warehouse preparedness, every link in the chain functions as a critical firebreak. Within Europe’s dense, multi-node trucking networks, safety compliance is not optional—it is the baseline that prevents an entire transport chain from being brought to a standstill by a single battery.