Great fire in Ahlen: Fire brigade fights against flames and toxic smoke!

The authorities immediately took security measures. Residents in the neighboring districts of Uentrop and Süddinker were asked to go into closed rooms, close windows and doors and to switch off air conditioning and ventilation devices. There is the possibility of odor nuisances and smoke ranges, which is why the stay outdoors should be avoided.

security warnings and measures

Current information can call up the population via the Warn app Nina and the Lipewelle news platform. The affected fire area is up to 700 square meters and the flames have already spread to a neighboring company. Despite the intensive fire fighting, the fire is not yet completely under control, but now contained. Fortunately, no injuries have so far been reported.

The cause of the fire remains unclear for the time being, but such incidents throw a light on the dangers that can assume industrial companies. A similar major fire only occurred recently in Berlin. A fire broke out in a metal processing factory in Lichterfelde, which also caused huge clouds of smoke. Here the fire brigade mobilized 223 emergency services, supported by the airport fire brigade and a Bayer works fire brigade. In this case, too, there were no injuries, but a fireman had to be treated due to circulatory problems.

The school near the Berlin fire town was evacuated and the students were sent home, while residents were also informed by Warn app Nina to close their windows and doors. In the affected work, dangerous chemicals such as copper cyanide and sulfuric acid stored, but no health -hazardous substances were found in the cloud of smoke, which is at least a positive aspect in this critical location.

The role of fire statistics

Such major fires are not uncommon in Germany. However, there is no comprehensive and uniform fire statistics that provide information about the causes and effects of fires. There are numerous statistics that are cultivated by the German Fire Brigade Association and the Federal Statistical Office, but the data situation is incomplete in the overall context. The exact knowledge of causes of fire could play an important role to improve fire protection.

The fire brigade has a major challenge in both cases. While the extinguishing work in Ahlen is still in full swing, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and which teachings can be drawn from these incidents.