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A major fire has been burning since this morning in a shoe warehouse on the ninth floor of Building 34 in the former Baťa industrial complex in Zlín. Firefighters declared a special alarm level – the highest of the country's four emergency alert levels – late this morning, a status reserved for extraordinary incidents. As a precaution, all surrounding buildings are being evacuated, regional fire service spokesperson Pavel Řezníček told the Czech News Agency.

According to emergency medical services, no injuries have been reported so far. The city has advised residents to keep their windows closed and limit ventilation due to the smoke. Streets around the burning building have been closed, and police say significant property damage is expected. The fire broke out in a building owned by the company Cream. The affected floor is leased by the Zlín-based footwear company Vasky.

President Petr Pavel believes allies have just two months to increase pressure on Russia and push it towards peace talks with Ukraine, he said in an interview with The Telegraph following the NATO summit in Ankara.

Pavel warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order a general mobilisation after Russia's parliamentary elections on September 20. He argued that continued military support for Ukraine, coupled with diplomatic pressure, offers the best chance of bringing Moscow to the negotiating table.

The Czech president also stressed the need to expand defence production, saying NATO countries must ensure industry has the capacity to rapidly increase output of advanced weapons, including long-range missiles and missile defence systems.

Czechia will not contribute to the €70 billion in military aid for Ukraine pledged by NATO allies, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said after the Alliance's summit in Ankara on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists before leaving Turkey, Babiš said Europe should focus on strengthening air defence against ballistic missiles. He also reiterated that Czech defence spending will reach 2 percent of GDP next year, while saying meeting that target this year remains unlikely. He added that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening and again briefly on Wednesday.

NATO allies pledged to provide Ukraine with €70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training this year and to maintain the same level of support in 2027, according to the summit's final declaration.

Czech water rescuers have responded to more than 420 incidents so far this summer, nearly half the total recorded during last year's entire season. According to the Water Rescue Service of the Czech Red Cross, the sharp increase is due to the hot weather in recent weeks.

A total of 165 people drowned in Czechia last year. Although prevention campaigns have helped reduce the annual death toll in recent years, it remains high compared with many Western European countries.

The rescue service also uses an underwater drone that can dive to depths of up to 100 metres. It helps inspect waterways, document boating accidents and assist police in searching for drowning victims.