Fire danger in Reutlingen: How to protect yourself from the flames!

Fire danger in Reutlingen: How to protect yourself from the flames!

Unfortunately, arson is not uncommon in downtown Reutlingen. A frightening incident occurred on Tuesday night: an underground car park burst into flames and an 18-year-old was injured. The damage caused amounts to around 50,000 euros, which is not uncommon in the region. In July, the photo wall at St. Nicholas Church in the pedestrian zone was set on fire. According to reports from gea.de Passers-by and residents often discover the fires.

Fire brigade commander Stefan Hermann emphasizes the importance of correct assessment when it comes to extinguishing a fire. Your own safety and health come first. A few key questions are particularly important: When does the extinguishing attack become too dangerous? When is there a risk of self-injury due to burns or fumes? The first step should always be to alert the fire department on the emergency number 112 before taking action yourself. It is crucial to leave the firefighting to the professionals once the fire department arrives.

Fire prevention tips

The Reutlingen fire department is also preparing for an increased volume of operations, especially on New Year's Eve. Harald Herrmann, the senior city fire director and commander of the Reutlingen fire department, appeals to citizens to be careful when handling fireworks. “Responsible use can prevent fires and injuries,” he explains. The fire brigade's warnings should be taken seriously in order to prevent dangerous situations such as those seen at night.

The dark side of arson

Arson poses a danger not only to people, but also to animals and property. According to the official crime statistics for 2021, there were 17,151 cases of arson and 2,083 attempts in Germany, underlining the urgency of this issue. The clearance rate is around 50 percent. The most common motivations for arson are diverse: from insurance fraud to political extremism to psychological problems. Children are also often involved, which makes the problem even more complex.

In order to effectively combat arson, comprehensive prevention approaches are necessary. These include, among other things, personalized admission procedures in fire departments, improved structural fire protection and public education measures. The perpetrators often come from the affected residential area and tend to escalate their crimes. It is therefore crucial that all parties involved work closely together to minimize the risk and impact of arson. For more information on this important topic, be sure to check out Fire Department tips and advice from feuerwehr.reutlingen.de and that Fire protection information portal observe.