Poželjno mjesto za život

This paper focuses on an unexpected, nonroutine and destabilising event – a fire at a tyre recycling factory, which occurred in the Lithuanian city of Alytus on 16 October 2019. It discusses how an environmental accident, which affected all residents of the city and their relationship with the environment, brought new meanings to the city. It analyses the lived experiences of the city residents as well as images, the transformation of values, social initiatives and movements that occurred in Alytus during the accident. This includes citizens’ involvement in the affairs of the city afterwards as well. The article concludes that the environmental accident mobilized the community and encouraged it to re-evaluate the meaning of the factory, and the aspects that make the city a desirable place to live.