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Massive fire in Pitten: 450 firefighters on duty!
Major fire in Pitten, Neunkirchen: 450 firefighters fight fire in the waste paper warehouse. Water deployment and air support underway.
Massive fire in Pitten: 450 firefighters on duty!
These days, a spectacular fire on an area of a paper factory in Pitten, Lower Austria, is causing a stir. The fire broke out in an outdoor waste paper warehouse on Wednesday and Thursday and around 450 firefighters have been working continuously since then to bring the flames under control. According to Puls24, the district commander Josef Huber stated that it was a “massive use of water” that would last for several hours. The fire brigade's operation is estimated to take two to three days because the material, consisting of pressed paper bales, ignites quickly when oxygen is supplied.
The problem is that the fire department has to put out the glowing bales of paper at great expense. Special clearing equipment is used here, such as excavators and grabs, which were provided by a specialist company. This technique is necessary to tear the fire material apart piece by piece and ensure complete extinguishment. This information is provided by RP Online.
Water from the air and more
In order to fight the fire effectively, a helicopter was also called in to carry out water drops. This is particularly important to minimize the risk of the fire spreading. The operation is supported by the helpers' blocking position, which is intended to protect the adjacent forest. To ensure that the fire-fighting troops have enough water available, closures are necessary in the area of Düsseldorfer Straße because hoses have been laid across the street.
There are currently around 120 firefighters on duty, who were supported by the previous 300 emergency services. Despite the massive deployment of fire brigade and technology, there is no imminent end to the extinguishing work in sight, so the site remains heavily frequented. The impact of the fire is far-reaching; It will not only be in the surrounding area that there will be disruptions to rail traffic between Düsseldorf and Neuss.
Fire protection: An explosive topic
The risk of fire is also a current, global issue. In this context, the [CTIF] Center for Fire Statistics published the annual report of the CFS-CTIF in 2023, which compiles data from various countries and analyzes the development of urban fire risks. Even if this is not directly related to the fire in Pitten, the event still brings into focus how important effective fire protection measures are for safety in urban centers. The statistics show that such incidents are not just temporary fires, but address deeper societal issues in the area of fire safety.
It remains to be seen how developments in Pitten will continue. The fire department has done an excellent job so far, and the cooperation between the various emergency services is impressive. A small ray of hope in the midst of the difficulties that such a fire brings with it.