Fire Strikes On The Rynek

Disaster struck this afternoon when a fire blazed through a historic palace on Cracow's Main Market Square.

The so-called 'Prince's House', which lies at the southwestern corner of the square, began to flare up at about 4.40 pm. Raging flames tore through the roof and dense plumes of black smoke billowed above the plaza.

Firemen rushed to the scene and by 5.15pm it appeared that the flames had been confined to the upper portion of the residence, which houses the British Council on the First Floor.

It had been one of the hottest days of the year, which made the job all the more difficult for the firemen, who were repeatedly engulfed by the smoke as they battled with the flames from the engine's ladder.

Ambulances were seen racing to and from the scene but at present no news of casualties has emerged, nor of the actual causes of the fire.