A tobacco factory caught fire in Pryluky following an attack by Russia
In Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, a fire broke out at a British American Tobacco tobacco factory on the afternoon of September 7 as a result of a Russian attack. According to employees, the roof of the cigarette production workshop caught fire, but everyone was evacuated to a shelter in time.
On the afternoon of September 7, a fire broke out at a tobacco factory in Pryluky, Chernihiv Oblast, which is part of the international corporation British American Tobacco. According to factory employees, the roof of the cigarette production hall caught fire. Firefighters are currently on the scene extinguishing the blaze.
Preliminary reports indicate the fire was caused by a Russian attack. Factory workers said they were all in shelters when the strike occurred. According to them, no one was injured.
However, one female employee suffered an acute stress reaction. She was provided with the necessary assistance. Rescue workers are currently continuing their efforts at the scene of the fire. There is no information at this time regarding the extent of damage to the facility or the exact cause of the fire.
What is known about the factory
The tobacco factory in Pryluky has a history spanning more than 130 years. It was founded on January 22, 1889. Initially, the company was called “The Rabinovich and Fratkina Partnership.” In 1920, the factory was nationalized. Later, the “Rybolov” tobacco and shag factory was merged with it. After that, the enterprise was renamed the Second State Tobacco and Shag Factory.
Until 1938, the factory bore the name of Christian Rakovsky and was one of the largest enterprises of its kind in Ukraine. During World War II, the factory suffered significant damage. In September 1941, some of the equipment, along with specialists, was evacuated. The factory buildings themselves were burned down during the war.
After Pryluky was liberated from German forces in 1943, the factory resumed production of makhorka. In 1957, the factory switched to producing makhorka cigarettes and cigars. At that time, the enterprise was renamed the Cigarette Factory. In 1965, the factory began producing filtered cigarettes, using equipment from Czechoslovakia and Germany.
How the Factory Became Part of British American Tobacco
A new chapter in the company’s history began after Ukraine declared its independence. On March 12, 1993, British American Tobacco-Industries and the collective enterprise “Pryluky Tobacco Factory” established a joint venture—the joint-stock company “VAT-Pryluky.”
Thus, the Pryluky enterprise became part of the international tobacco industry. The factory operates in Pryluky and remains one of the city’s most prominent industrial enterprises to this day. Now, its premises have come under Russian attack. The fire broke out directly in the production facilities, and the flames engulfed the roof of the cigarette workshop.
Importantly, the workers were taking shelter at the time of the attack. This helped prevent more serious consequences for the people. Rescue workers are currently extinguishing the fire. The exact extent of the damage to the factory and the consequences of the attack are still being assessed. This was reported by a “Suspilne” correspondent on the scene.
In the Kyiv and Chernihiv regions, military personnel from the Territorial Defense Forces and the Special Forces were notified that they are suspects in criminal proceedings regarding the unlawful use of force against civilians during mobilization operations.
