A small fire broke out in the kitchen of a restaurant located on the first floor of the 'Europa' shopping center in Vilnius on Wednesday morning. The incident, which was reported at 9:25 AM, caused considerable disruption for shoppers in the large retail and leisure complex. According to Edita Zdanevičienė, a senior specialist from the Communication Department of the Fire and Rescue Service, the fire did not spread and was contained within the restaurant.

This incident echoes a previous emergency that occurred just two weeks prior when food ignited in the kitchen of another establishment in the same shopping center. That event also triggered the fire alarms due to smoke and burnt odors, leading to an immediate response from fire safety services. The repeated occurrence of such events raises questions about safety measures in place at the shopping center,especially considering its popularity as a destination for both shopping and leisure activities.

The swift action taken by the incident response teams and the early activation of the fire alarms were crucial in ensuring the safety of all visitors. As investigations continue, officials may need to reassess fire safety protocols across the complex to prevent future incidents and ensure a secure shopping environment for the public.