In Prostějov, a chimney collapsed at the former Clothing Factory site

photo: Martin Vonka

Prostějov - A 110-meter high chimney, the last symbol of the former textile factory of the Clothing Enterprise Prostějov (OP), was blown up in Prostějov this morning. Experts used 25 kilograms of explosives for the demolition. Dozens of people did not miss the magnificent spectacle that lasted several seconds, during which the chimney with the inscription OP on top collapsed. The same demolition expert who brought the chimney down today had previously demolished the large production halls of the enterprise two years ago.

Tons of reinforced concrete masses fell to the ground just before 09:00. The ground trembled under the feet of the spectators at that moment. After the impact, clouds of dust enveloped the site, which firefighters soon began to douse with streams of water. "The 110-meter high chimney weighing about 700 tons was drilled with 180 holes, and the total charge was 25 kilograms," said demolition expert Zdeněk Šobíšek to ČTK.

The experts had to deal with nearby high-voltage electrical wires, so they also built mounds at the site. Agreements were reached with companies in the adjacent industrial zone to limit Sunday operations during the demolition work. "Demolishing a chimney, when it goes well, is a joy. One does it also for prestige reasons. For me, this is the 68th chimney in a row and the sixth of this type, meaning made of reinforced concrete blocks. However, each chimney is different and one keeps learning, each one trains you," said the demolition expert.

Due to the demolition of the chimney, the last standing landmark of the former OP Prostějov site, many people woke up early. The area was filled with people with cameras and video equipment, many even brought tripods for better shots. "It’s a strange feeling, I've been looking at the chimney from my window for so many years and suddenly it won’t be here. I couldn't miss it," said one of the spectators to ČTK today, who brought his grandson to watch.

Residents of Prostějov watched the demolition of six large production halls of the bankrupt enterprise in the summer two years ago. For the demolition of the six buildings of OP, 2404 non-electric and 856 electric charges were used at that time, totaling 1193 kilograms of dynamite. The buildings fell to the ground in an instant. Hundreds of people watched the demolition from a distance. However, the event had repercussions. Demolition expert Šobíšek, who managed the demolition, received a fine of several tens of thousands of crowns. According to the mining authority, he used a larger amount of explosives than the authority permitted in the documentation. Debris from the building reached beyond the safety perimeter because of this.

The new owner of the site, Astria Group, decided to demolish the production halls of the bankrupt OP Prostějov. The eighteen-hectare site currently lies empty. Machines have already removed huge piles of construction debris. The landowners claim that negotiations with investors are on a good path and that the first companies could soon settle in the area. Details have not yet been disclosed. Jiří Pospíšil, the deputy mayor of Prostějov (PéVéčko), announced this spring that four foreign investors are interested in the land.