Polish President Lech Kaczynski declared three days of national mourning following a tragic fire in Kamień Pomorski in north-western Poland.

A total of 22 people died while 20 others were injured in the blaze which started in a social services hostel early Monday. According to local officials, at least 77 people resided in the hostel. The injured, many suffering from burns and the effects of smoke inhalation as well as bone fractures as a result of their leap from the three-storey building, were taken to nearby hospitals.

According to Paweł Frątczak, spokesman for the Firefighting Services, the blaze resulted in vast devastation of the structure. Emergency teams have finished searching through the wreckage of the building. Police and prosecutors have embarked on an investigation into the cause of the blaze. 

Interior Minister Grzegorz Schetyna has said a special commission, led by General Janusz Skulich, has been appointed to look into the conduct of the firefighters during the rescue. Janusz Skulich was head of the rescue team that took action after the roof of trade hall collapsed on an international gathering of pigeon enthusiasts in 2006. A preliminary report of the commission is expected to be released on Thursday.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk flew to Kamien Pomorski yesterday to see the scale of the damage and determine the help that would be needed. He has pledged to provide up to a million zlotys (over 200,000 euro) in financial support for the reconstruction of the building. President Lech Kaczyński who also visited the injured in hospital has committed to contribute funds from the budget of his chancellery.