Two people charged over the tragic fire at the U Kojota restaurant in Most

Investigation pointed to the fall of a gas heater

Criminal investigators confirmed that the immediate cause of the fire was the fall of a gas heater inside the restaurant. The fire then spread uncontrollably and the guests who were seated in the hall at the time of the incident had only limited means of escape. Some inhaled toxic fumes, others suffered burns.

According to investigators, however, the technical problem itself is not the only reason the business ended up in ruins. "We secured evidence of a whole series of failures related to the operation of the restaurant, especially in the area of safety," said police spokesperson Kamil Marek.

Accused of negligence

The police therefore launched criminal proceedings against both spouses. They are charged with the criminal offense of endangering the public through negligence, and if the court finds them guilty, they face up to ten years in prison. Prosecutors point in particular to a negligent approach to maintenance of technical equipment and to the fact that the establishment was not sufficiently secured for an emergency.
The Čech couple have not communicated with the public or the media for a long time, and their lawyers have so far provided only a brief statement that "they will resolve the situation exclusively through the courts".

Wave of solidarity and the city's response

The event deeply affected the residents of Most. In the weeks after the disaster, public collections were organized to help the bereaved and the injured. Many of those affected were left without means, as the losses included not only lives and health but also personal property that remained in the premises during the fire.
The city also promised to tighten inspections of businesses of a similar type. "This tragedy has shown that one cannot rely solely on operators. Authorities must be more rigorous," said the Most councillor for security.

Expectations of justice

The bereaved and the injured express hope that the legal process will bring a clear determination of responsibility. "We want to know why this happened, and we are interested in whether it could have been prevented," says one of the bereaved.

The trial is expected to begin in the coming months. For many people in Most this will be an important moment not only legally but also morally — the closing of a tragic chapter that has deeply marked the life of the local community.