Defendant Marina's house burned to the ground: 'I took the dog and daughter, I don't know what to do'

A fire that consumed parts of the Omis area has left devastation in its wake, with one woman losing her life and extensive damage to property estimated at up to 800,000 euros. The blaze was brought under control, but the aftermath continues to unfold, with residents returning to their homes to assess the scale of destruction. According to reports, houses, commercial buildings, vehicles, and boats were among the items lost, while several individuals remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Ivica Marijanović, a resident of Čeline, described the scene as an “apocalypse.” His property suffered severe damage, with losses placed between 700,000 and 800,000 euros. He recounted his emotional struggle, noting that although he felt little emotion at first, he wept throughout the journey back home. “It’s not just my loss, it's the loss of others,” he told RTL. The tragedy has struck local entrepreneurs hard, including Ante Kovačić, owner of a boat service in Vrisovci, who lost multiple vessels and other equipment. He spoke of seven to eight boats destroyed on one site and four more damaged elsewhere, along with a work van and a scooter. The fire also claimed the lives of a woman whose body was found near the fire site around 13:30. She was identified as one of three young women attempting to escape the flames. Two others sustained injuries, one in critical condition and another with less severe wounds. Local authorities have confirmed the death, though official details remain scarce. Emergency services, including the HGSS and the State Prosecution Office, assisted in the recovery efforts, while police maintained security at the scene. Residents in the affected areas, particularly in Lokva Rogoznica and surrounding regions of Omis, faced chaos as the fire spread rapidly over nearly 1,000 hectares. Evacuation efforts were swift, with many fleeing toward the coast, aided by local volunteers using boats to ferry people to safety. The Croatian National Guard Corps and the Ministry of Internal Affairs also contributed to rescue operations. Despite the urgency, officials noted that the system functioned efficiently, especially in terms of firefighter efforts to save both human lives and property. Local residents expressed satisfaction with the response, acknowledging the bravery of firefighters who worked tirelessly to contain the blaze. However, they also voiced concerns about the long-term impact of the disaster. Many objects were completely destroyed, and personal vehicles, some even on the D8 state road, were lost. The extent of material damage remains unclear, with estimates varying widely. Police technicians continue their investigation, stating that the process could take considerable time due to the magnitude of the destruction. Marin Ozretić, a local resident from Stanić, shared his experience of trying to protect his home. He and his cousin fought against the flames for as long as possible, using whatever tools they had available. His house was entirely burned down, leaving him devastated. “The damage is enormous, there is no measure to it,” he said. He described the emotional toll of losing everything, including the fruits of years of labor. “I took my dog and daughter to Omis. Now I cry, I don’t know what to say. This was my savings from my entire life,” he added. Ozretić emphasized that the rebuilding process will depend largely on government support, which he remains uncertain about. “Will they help or not? That’s up to them.”