A devastating fire has completely destroyed a prominent skyscraper in the Croatian capital of Zagreb, leaving the landmark structure in ruins.
Inferno Erupts in City Centre
The blaze broke out late on Monday, 17 November 2025, near the top of the 16-floor Vjesnik tower. The fire spread with alarming speed, rapidly moving downwards through the building. Witnesses reported seeing large pieces of the structure falling away as the inferno intensified.
Massive Emergency Response
Approximately 100 firefighters were deployed to tackle the enormous blaze. However, the intensity of the flames prevented crews from entering the burning structure directly. They fought the fire externally throughout the night.
By Tuesday lunchtime, the main body of the fire had been largely extinguished, but the building continued to smoulder. A major saving grace was the fact that the building, named after a former newspaper, was largely vacant at the time. This contributed to the confirmation from authorities that there were no casualties reported.
Total Destruction Confirmed
The Mayor of Zagreb addressed the severity of the damage, confirming that it was 'total'. The Vjesnik tower, once a defining feature of the city's skyline, has been almost entirely destroyed. The cause of the fire is not yet known and investigations are expected to begin once the site is declared safe.
