Fire at Prague's National Theatre forces evacuation, tram disruption

This is a developing story

UPDATE: As of 4:35 p.m., the fire has been fully extinguished, the Czech News Agency confirms the Prague fire brigade as reporting. Fire engines remain by the theater and a helicopter is encircling Prague 1 as of 5 p.m. All transport and traffic disruption was cleared from 6 p.m.

A fire broke out in the dressing rooms of Prague’s National Theater this afternoon, prompting the evacuation of the historic building and a large-scale response from firefighters, police, and rescue services across the city. Authorities were alerted at around 2:45 p.m. Between 12 and 15 fire engines are on site.

According to Vojtěch Sosna, spokesman for the Prague fire brigade, the blaze triggered a second-level (medium) alarm in the city center as over 10 firefighting units currently extinguish the flames and assess the damage.

The fire started in a staff room, reportedly linked to cleaning personnel. Theater spokesman Tomáš Staněk confirmed the evacuation of the building to ensure the safety of everyone inside. No injuries have been immediately reported. The cause is unknown.

At the time of the fire, only employees were inside. The fire was in the part of the building facing Václav Havel Square.

Traffic around the theater was disrupted as emergency vehicles from multiple agencies blocked surrounding streets, causing congestion. A specialized Fénix evacuation vehicle was also deployed to assist in ensuring a swift response.

Prague lines 2, 9, 18, 22, 23, 42, which stop outside or near the theatre, are disrupted. Check the English-language website of the Prague Public Transport company (DPP) for the latest updates.

Details about the extent of the fire are still under investigation as firefighters remain on-site to prevent further damage.

The Prague National Theatre has experienced fire twice in its history. The first fire occurred on Aug. 12, 1881, shortly after its initial opening, destroying the auditorium and stage, which delayed its official opening until November 1883 after extensive repairs funded by public donations.

The second fire happened on Feb. 5, 1977, damaging parts of the building during renovation work; this led to further restoration and modernization efforts before its reopening in 1983.