Fire at Godominsko Polje Landfill Covers Smederevo in Smoke
The blaze at the unsanitary landfill broke out around 5 a.m. The city is asking residents to stay indoors and names human error as the probable cause.
A fire broke out at the unsanitary landfill in Godominsko Polje, near Smederevo, on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at around 5 a.m. Firefighting and rescue units, the city administration’s emergency management service and heavy construction machinery are fighting the blaze, and the City of Smederevo says all available resources have been deployed.
Because of the increased concentration of smoke, city authorities have issued health protection recommendations to residents. The announcement was published on the City’s official website.
What is known about the cause of the fire?
The city names human error as the probable cause but presents no evidence to back that up. The announcement states:
“Everything indicates that the fire was caused by human error, but more details about the event will be known once the competent Interior Ministry (MUP) services arrive.”
There is therefore no official confirmation of the cause. Until Interior Ministry officers reach the site and complete their investigation, it remains an assessment by the local authorities.
When was the fire reported, and how bad is the smoke?
Sources differ on timing. The city, and the media relaying its announcement, say the fire was spotted at around 5 a.m. The portal Srbija Danas, citing the local outlet Podunavlje info, reports that firefighters were notified shortly before 6:30 a.m.
According to Srbija Danas, smoke covered the town in the morning and the wind carried it into other areas. There are no official figures yet on air pollution. None of the available sources gives the number of firefighters and vehicles at the scene, the area affected or whether the fire has been contained.
What is the City of Smederevo advising residents?
The recommendations apply until the danger has passed:
- stay indoors whenever possible
- keep windows and doors closed so that as little smoke as possible gets into homes and apartments
- avoid spending long periods outdoors and avoid physical activity outside
- protect children, older people, pregnant women and people with chronic illnesses, above all those with heart and lung conditions
- follow official notices from the authorities and act on their instructions
For health complaints, the City gives clear instructions:
“If you experience health problems, go to the nearest health facility immediately or call emergency medical services.”
Residents are also asked not to spread unverified information.
A burning landfill is nothing new
According to local media relayed by Srbija Danas, the previous fire at the same landfill was recorded in April 2026.
The City points to the work now under way:
“We remind you that work is under way in Godominsko Polje to close the unsanitary landfill”
According to the same announcement, that work should resolve Smederevo’s decades-old waste disposal problem and significantly reduce the risk of fires.
