The owner of the cafe where the big fire started: "We are convinced it was set up. We gave the police the camera footage".

A massive wildfire erupted near Lokva Rogoznica on Thursday evening, rapidly spreading through the area and engulfing approximately 1,000 hectares of land. The blaze forced residents to flee their homes and led to significant material damage, with dozens of houses, vehicles, and other property destroyed. The fire, which began close to the village’s church, was described as one of the fastest-spreading wildfires in the region, moving swiftly from the coast toward the hills and eventually reaching the Omiš area before turning northward along the Omiška Dinara range. Father Don Nikola Bodrožić, the parish priest of Lokva Rogoznica, was among those who actively participated in extinguishing the fire and assisting local residents during the crisis. Speaking after the incident, he confirmed that the fire had claimed several homes and left many families displaced. He described the situation as extremely tragic, noting that multiple households were unable to save all their belongings, particularly cars, due to the speed at which the flames spread. Father Bodrožić recounted his efforts throughout the night, staying on-site until around 11 p.m., helping evacuate people from the affected area and ensuring they reached safer ground. He emphasized that despite the overwhelming challenge posed by the fire, no one in the parish lost their life. However, he expressed deep sorrow over the loss of property and the emotional trauma suffered by the community. When asked whether the fire might have been deliberately set, Father Bodrožić responded affirmatively. He noted that while the exact origin of the fire was still under investigation, the rapid spread and the pattern of similar fires in the region suggested human involvement. “It wasn’t just a random occurrence,” he stated. “We’ve had several such incidents in recent years, and this one was particularly fast-moving.” He added that the community was already familiar with the risks of wildfires, having experienced previous fires. However, this one stood out because of its speed and intensity. “People here know what to expect, but this time, the fire moved too quickly for anyone to fully protect their homes,” he explained. The owner of a nearby café, Goran Lović, also voiced his belief that the fire was intentionally set. He told reporters that he had witnessed the fire start from the opposite side of the road, far from tourist areas, and that he was convinced it was a deliberate act. “We’re certain it was human-caused,” he said. “We’ve given the police camera footage and everything else we could to help solve the case.” Lović praised the quick response of firefighters and emergency services, acknowledging their tireless efforts in containing the blaze and rescuing residents. He admitted that his establishment suffered considerable damage, describing the event as a major disaster for the local area. Eyewitnesses, including Dražen Ravlić, who was among the first to notice the fire, described chaotic scenes during the evacuation. Ravlić recalled seeing two cars driving in reverse on a curve, followed shortly after by the appearance of flames. He noted that the fire spread incredibly fast, fueled by strong winds, and that he helped guide people away from the danger zone before calling for emergency assistance. Ravlić believes the fire was set on purpose, citing the timing of the wind shift and the need to fight the flames in both directions, toward Omiš and toward Makarska. He pointed out that a fire had occurred in the same location the previous year, adding to his suspicions of intentional arson. During the evacuation, some tourists attempted to return to the affected area to retrieve personal items, prompting officials to intervene. One woman, overwhelmed by the loss of documents, was prevented from approaching the fire site, as she was advised against doing so. As of now, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire, with police conducting interviews and reviewing evidence collected from the scene. While the official cause has yet to be determined, the consensus among locals and witnesses leans heavily toward the possibility of arson. Emergency services remain on alert, working to ensure that all remaining hotspots are fully extinguished and that the affected communities receive necessary support.