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Major operation in Kierspe: Unknown barrels discovered on the Schnörrenbach!
Fire brigade in the Märkischer Kreis saves the environment during a large-scale operation on the Schnörrenbach: Decades-old hazardous substances discovered, no acute threat.
Major operation in Kierspe: Unknown barrels discovered on the Schnörrenbach!
Late on Friday evening, October 31st, the emergency services in Kierspe became active, and for a very serious reason. During a search for missing persons, the police discovered a large amount of barrels with unknown liquid in the former restaurant and discotheque Haus Schnörrenbach. What could that possibly be? A major fire department operation was unavoidable and Highway 528 was closed for several hours while the situation was investigated.
Fire engine 1 from the Kierspe volunteer fire department responded around 11 p.m. Fire department spokesman Christian Schwanke reported on numerous barrels that were distributed in the area of the former disco. In order to thoroughly analyze the situation, the circumstances required the use of full protective suits, which the firefighters wore to collect samples of the liquid. In fact, the alarm was upgraded to level “ABC 2” and fire engines 3 and 4 took over basic protection. A regional hazardous materials train from Hemer and Meinerzhagen was also alerted to provide the necessary special equipment for hazardous materials operations.
No acute danger
After intensive investigations, it turned out that the liquid did not pose an acute danger to the environment. A disposal company was commissioned to recover and transport the barrels. The writing on the barrels was in Polish, making it difficult to identify the contents. Representatives of the police as well as the lower water authorities of the Märkischer Kreis, the municipal public order office and the DRK were also present on site. The district fire chief Michael Kling was informed about the situation, while the building supervision of the Märkischer Kreis was asked to secure the empty building or to put pressure on the owner to have it demolished.
The fire brigade's operation was finally ended after 3 a.m. on Saturday morning. During the course of the measures, another unpleasant situation arose: a bus driver who was chauffeuring a group of students was unable to continue because he had exceeded his driving time. A replacement bus was only able to go to the bus station in Meinerzhagen, so passengers had to walk there with their luggage.
Safe storage of hazardous substances
The events at Schnörrenbach remind us how important the safe collection and storage of hazardous waste is. DGUV Information 213-084 “Storage of Hazardous Substances” provides relevant information for operators and planners of storage facilities. Aspects such as responsibilities, approvals and organizational measures for safety and health protection are covered. The Technical Rule for Hazardous Substances (TRGS 510) specifies the requirements for storage in portable containers and reminds us of the need for a comprehensive approval and risk assessment to ensure safety.
For anyone who would like to learn more about the topic, it is worth taking a look at the Technical Rules for Hazardous Substances, which offer helpful guidelines for responsible handling. The issue of hazardous substances is not only of local interest, but affects us all, especially when it comes to protecting our environment.