World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Australian volunteer dies in fire at Ukraine Airbnb under investigation
Julianna Rozek, a Melbourne charity worker, died in a fire in Ukraine on September 6, alongside her partner, Irish national Darren Martyn.
The couple were volunteers helping rebuild villages damaged by war after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
They were staying at a rented cottage in Litochky, near Kyiv, for a short weekend trip and were likely asleep when the fire began.
An early investigation indicates carbon monoxide poisoning was the most likely cause of their deaths.
Ukrainian police are investigating the fire and possible breaches of fire safety rules at the Airbnb; investigators said the building had not been formally put into operation.
Police have interviewed the property’s owner, but there is no suggestion that he is responsible; the investigation is continuing.
Australian volunteer Julianna Rozek, 34, died in a fire at a rented cottage in Litochky, Ukraine, alongside her partner, Irish national Darren Martyn.
The fire broke out in the early hours of September 6, when the pair were likely asleep.
An early investigation identified carbon monoxide poisoning as the most likely cause of their deaths.
Ukrainian police are investigating a possible breach of fire safety rules at the Airbnb property.
Rozek had volunteered to support Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion, including by helping rebuild damaged homes.
- Who
- Julianna Rozek, an Australian volunteer, and her partner, Irish national Darren Martyn.
- What
- They died in a fire at a rented cottage. Police are investigating a possible breach of fire safety regulations.
- When
- September 6, in the early hours of the morning.
- Where
- A cottage in Litochky, about an hour from Kyiv, Ukraine.
- Why
- The early investigation identified carbon monoxide poisoning as the most likely cause of their deaths. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
After Russia invaded Ukraine, Rozek began helping in the country, including working in a soup kitchen and rebuilding damaged homes.
Rozek permanently relocated overseas.
A fire swept through the cottage in Litochky where Rozek and Martyn were staying, killing both.
Police interviewed the property owner and began investigating a possible breach of fire safety regulations.
- Rozek’s age
- 34
- Partner
- Darren Martyn, an Irish national
- Fire location
- Litochky, about an hour from Kyiv
- Date of fire
- September 6
- Possible cause of deaths
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Volunteer organisation
- Repair Together
What people are saying
This building had not been commissioned or formally put into operation
She didn’t follow a typical career path, she was very passionate and whatever she was interested in and fixated on she became an expert on it
She was always raising money for Ukraine.