On 22 November, a refugee family near the Vistula was rescued from a makeshift camp by locals, police, and fire services.
The Vistula Fire
A woman with two small boys was gathered around a campfire along the Vistula’s banks in Szczecin’s harbor area on Saturday, 22 November.
Police Respond
Firefighters from the VII Regional Fire Brigade received an alarm after 8 a.m., and officers rushed to the scene guided by the caller, making it easier to reach the family.
Revealing Their Identity
At first the mother was reluctant to speak and denied a second child; when nearby runners pointed out a boy hidden in bushes, she admitted he was her son, making a family of three.
Finding a Safe Haven
The firefighters and police determined they were refugees from the East and contacted the Orthodox Cultural Center on Cyryl i Metodii Street, which shelters homeless arrivals from those regions.
A Warm Outcome Post‑Fire
The center promised free accommodation for the mother and her two boys, and after the fire was put out, the family moved to a safe, warm shelter.
How You Can Help
Anyone witnessing homelessness or a crisis can call the local fire brigade at 986 to offer assistance.