Prime Minister Donald Tusk has provided over 200,000 euro in financial support for the victims of the tragic fire in a sheltered housing accommodation in Kamień Pomorski, north-western Poland.

He has also pledged to contribute funds towards the construction of a new shelter, which may cost up to a million euro. “We will join efforts with the local authorities to cover the expenses of the construction of a new building, which means the government will provide the local governing body with the necessary  funds it will need,” said the prime minister. “This will not amount to reconstructing the old facility, as I respect the sentiments of those who have survived and told me on the very day when the building was still blaze that they didn't want to live in a place where they lost their family members. We respect that and that is why we are searching for another location, and the building will be sited elsewhere.” 

A total of 22 people died while 20 others were injured in the blaze which started early Monday. 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.

The police, prosecutors and a special commission appointed within the State Firefighting Service have instigated an investigation into the cause of the blaze. A preliminary report of the commission is expected to be released on Thursday.

Interior Minister Grzegorz Schetyna believes the scale of the tragedy was down to the delay in notifying the firefighters. He praised the performance of the rescue team and denied media allegations that the blocked fire escape had prevented people from fleeing from the building.

Polish President Lech Kaczynski declared three days of national mourning. The matter will be covered in an in-depth report later in the programme.