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Major fire in Leuchtenberg: cows saved, farmer injured!
Major fire on a farm in Leuchtenberg, Bavaria, claims the lives of four cattle; 250 emergency services extinguish the fire.
Major fire in Leuchtenberg: cows saved, farmer injured!
On the night of July 9, 2025, there was a devastating fire on a farm in Leuchtenberg, Neustadt an der Waldnaab district. The owner was woken up by the panicked screaming of his cows and discovered the fire already raging in an outbuilding. Despite quick action and the deployment of around 250 emergency services, some animals could not be saved.
At least four cattle did not survive the inferno, and four others had to be euthanized due to serious injuries. Around 100 cows were able to be moved from the stables to an adjacent meadow in a timely manner. The owner and his son suffered burns and smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital. Two residents also suffered minor injuries and required medical treatment. Merkur reports that the emergency services were busy extinguishing burning hay and straw until the afternoon.
Destruction on a large scale
The fire destroyed six buildings, including stables, machine shops and garages. The amount of damage is currently estimated at several million euros. Fortunately, the farmer's home remained unscathed. The flames spread quickly, making it even more difficult to find the cause of the fire. It is unclear how the fire started and the responsible authorities must now clarify the background. As BR notes, burning diesel tanks on the property pose an additional risk.
In Germany there is a lack of a comprehensive survey on agricultural fires. There are no nationwide statistics on the causes of fires and damage in agriculture. Organizations such as the “Stable Fires” initiative criticize the lack of reporting requirements and try to collect information themselves in order to gain an overview of the situation. Jürgen Kunkelmann's investigation, which dates back to 2012, identifies electricity and arson as the most common causes, while human error also plays a role.
According to agrarheute, outdated statistics are a big problem because the material equipment of the companies and the herd sizes have changed since then. The current tragedy in Leuchtenberg highlights this often neglected issue in agriculture and the potential dangers that come with it.
The community in Leuchtenberg now faces the challenge of coming to terms with the loss and supporting the affected animals and their owners. The helpers on site are doing a remarkable job, and the solidarity of the neighbors who are ready to help during this difficult time is evident.