Staroměstská station to be shut for one month due to blaze

Prague’s Staroměstská metro station on green line A will remain closed for approximately one month due to intentional fire damage to its escalators, the Prague Transport Company (DPP) confirmed late Monday afternoon.

The sudden closure during peak tourist season will likely lead to serious crowding at the adjacent Můstek station. A more accurate estimate of the date of repair completion will only be possible after assessing all damage caused. The closure could well last over a month.

Police have caught all of the men believed to be connected with the blaze. "We thank the public and the media for their help in the search. [All identified men] are citizens of our country, aged 20-23. They will now be questioned about the incident on the subway," the police announced. Authorities also released a video of the incident. Watch below.

The blaze, caused by an ignited object thrown into the machinery, broke out late Saturday night, prompting an evacuation and ongoing police investigation for public endangerment due to negligence.

DPP technicians are replacing damaged wiring, cleaning components, and assessing mechanical parts. A precise reopening date will be known after full inspection, said DPP spokesperson Daniel Šabík.

Surveillance cameras captured six men in the station—wearing small bags strapped to their chest—around the time of the incident, and police had asked the public for help identifying them. Damage is reported to be at around CZK 1 million.

One person was treated at the scene by paramedics, but no serious injuries were reported.

The blaze broke out Saturday night shortly before 11 p.m. on an escalator that was under reconstruction. Firefighters from four city stations, along with the Prague Public Transport Company (DPP), responded and extinguished the flames using portable fire extinguishers, officials said.