A fire destroyed large parts of a basement in a six-story apartment building on Konrad-Dreher-Strasse in Kleinhadern on Saturday night, according to the fire department. The damage is therefore in the six-figure euro range.
According to the fire department, a resident noticed the fire shortly before midnight when he went to see why the power was out. When the first emergency services arrived, thick smoke was coming out of the cellar shafts and rising up the facade. Some of the residents had already escaped outside, others had to be rescued from their balconies using a turntable ladder.
According to their own statements, the fire department initially tried to cool the basement rooms using the cellar shafts with little success. Although at least two crews tried to contain the flames in the basement, the intensity of the fire did not noticeably decrease. Therefore, the basement was flooded with fire-fighting foam. Only when the foam was waist high did the flames go out. According to initial findings, several basement compartments were fully ablaze.
Around 20 residents and other affected people were examined for possible smoke inhalation. Only one person was slightly injured. According to the fire department, the house’s electrical installation was severely damaged by the fire. Since the house is currently without electricity and therefore without heating, it is considered uninhabitable. Most residents find short-term accommodation with friends or relatives. Accommodation will be organized for the remaining people.
According to the fire department, no statement can be made at the moment about the cause of the fire. As soon as the basement is accessible, the police commissioner will begin the investigation.