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New Year's Eve in Seevetal: Fire departments in constant use due to small fires!
At the turn of the year 2026, fire departments in Stade noticed numerous operations due to fireworks accidents and illegal ignition.
New Year's Eve in Seevetal: Fire departments in constant use due to small fires!
On New Year's Eve there was anticipation in the air and the streets were filled with people wanting to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new year. But the celebrations were not without danger. How District newspaper weekly reported that the volunteer fire brigades in Seevetal had to go on numerous missions between 12:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Particularly noticeable were several small fires that were caused by the improper use of fireworks. The first incident was a burning car on Mattenmoorstrasse, followed by further fires in garbage and waste paper containers.
The police used the occasion to warn about illegal fireworks. These, often sold by unregulated dealers, can contain dangerous levels of explosives and increase the risk of serious injury, especially if used improperly. In 2024/25, five people died in fireworks accidents in Germany, with the number of injured people in emergency rooms increasing three to four times during New Year's Eve ADAC determines.
Accidents and incidents
New Year's Eve was overshadowed by serious incidents. In a tragic event in Oschatz, Saxony, a 45-year-old man died as a result of the explosion of an unauthorized fireworks bomb. Similar incidents were reported in Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Brandenburg. Many injuries were caused by homemade or illegal firecrackers. Eight seriously injured people with hand injuries had to be treated in the Berlin accident hospital The review reported.
In addition, fire and police forces were exposed to attacks in many cities. In Berlin, 330 people were arrested and 13 police officers were injured, one of them seriously from an illegal firecracker. Despite the no-gun zones that were introduced in some cities, the violence could not be completely prevented.
Health risks from fireworks
The risks posed by fireworks should not be underestimated. Every year, around 8,000 people suffer inner ear damage from fireworks, and typical injuries include severe burns and soft tissue injuries, blast trauma and eye injuries. The ADAC recommends only using approved fireworks with a CE mark and never setting off homemade or manipulated firecrackers. Children and young people are particularly at risk; therefore, particularly careful safety precautions should be taken.
Fireworks smoke poses additional health risks as it releases fine dust and pollutants that can be particularly problematic for people with respiratory diseases. Around 2,000 tons of fine dust are released in Germany during the New Year, and levels of up to 1,000 micrograms of fine dust per cubic meter are not uncommon.
The result was a mixed picture on New Year's Eve: between happy celebrations and unpleasant incidents, it was important to find a responsible way to use fireworks. In Seevetal there remains hope that citizens can learn from the events and celebrate more safely in the coming session.