After a barbecue accident: Jesingerin only sees charred garden ruins!

After a barbecue accident: Jesingerin only sees charred garden ruins!

A week ago, a fire caused by negligence while grilling caused devastating damage in Jesingen (Esslingen district). Sophia R. is now standing in front of the charred remains of her garden, in which a magnificent thuja hedge once grew. The ground, which was previously a lush green, is now burnt black and the hedges are only in the form of smoking stems. The neighbors had ignored the dryness and strong winds, which ultimately led to devastating sparks and set fire to around 50 meters of their hedge. The total damage is estimated at around 100,000 euros.

As Sophia R. reports, she was not at home at the time of the fire. Her father informed her by telephone while the fire department fought the flames with a large contingent. When she returned, she saw how the fire had affected not only the hedge, but also the facade of her house and the newly converted terrace. It was only in October that she and her 22-year-old boyfriend moved into her late grandparents' house and had just completed renovations.

Fire protection statistics in focus

This incident reflects a more widespread problem highlighted in the annual fire cause statistics from the Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research (IFS). The IFS continuously investigates various fire cases and found in the statistics for 2022, which analyzed around 2,000 fire incidents, that human error is one of the most common causes of fires. According to the IFS, such errors account for 25% of fires, while other causes such as electricity (28%) and unknown factors (22%) are also high. Further details on the causes of the fire can be found in the [IFS statistics](https://www.ifs-ev.org/ Schadenverhuetung/ursachenaktien/ursachenaktitik-brandschaeden-2024/).

What is particularly noteworthy is that in the overall IFS statistics for the years 2002 to 2022, the relative distribution of fire causes remained almost constant. Due to carelessness and ignorance, such tragic incidents can often have serious consequences.

Personal reflection and outlook

As Sophia R. emphasizes, despite the extensive damage, she has no grudge against her neighbors. “I’m just glad that no one was hurt and our house is standing,” she says. Her heart is left with regret over the loss of her own efforts to care for her garden. Their new covered patio had only been completed in March and the freshly rolled out lawn was now ravaged by the flames. However, she plans to repair everything and spend more time in her own garden in the future, even if the circumstances are very different today.

Finally, this case shows how important education and prevention measures are when dealing with fire. Therefore, not only Sophia R.'s neighbors, but also everyone else should be aware of the dangers lurking when grilling, especially in dry and windy conditions. After all, it is often just a spark that makes the difference between weal and woe. If you have any questions about fire protection, it's worth taking a look at the Fire Protection Information Portal, which has lots of useful tips.