Major fire in Brunsbüttel: Pauluskirche suffers millions in damage!

Major fire in Brunsbüttel: Pauluskirche suffers millions in damage!

On the night of Saturday, November 3rd, 2025, a devastating fire broke out in the Pauluskirche in Brunsbüttel. At around 11:30 p.m., the roof of the church was engulfed in flames when the Brunsbüttel fire department, led by community fire chief Lars Kumbartzky, rushed to extinguish the fire with around 90 emergency services. When the first firefighters arrived, the roof structure was already fully engulfed in flames, which made quick action essential. Thanks to the courageous efforts of the fire brigade, something worse was prevented: the fire did not spread to the church tower, the pastorate or the community center, which significantly defused the situation. After about three hours, the emergency services managed to put out the fire. But the danger was not averted - hot spots were being fought until 5 a.m.

Worse than the night itself is the damage caused by the fire. According to estimates, the value is several million euros. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the situation of the church is critical: the nave is considered to be in danger of collapsing and will remain closed until further notice. Pastor Peter Marten, who had to temporarily move to the pastorate while the fire was being extinguished, is now forced to live in his van. Church bells rang during the operation at around 11:45 p.m., an eerie setting on a tragic night.

Cause of fire and investigation

The criminal police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. The scene of the fire has been confiscated and investigators from Kripo Heide are initially concentrating on the outside areas of the church. The Ecclesia insurance company has already commissioned a security company to secure the church. Barriers will be put up on Tuesday before fire investigators can examine the inside of the church. Apart from the Pauluskirche, the adjacent community center and the pastorate also remain without electricity and heating because the fire department watered them as a precaution.

Fire hazard in churches

This frightening situation is not an isolated case, as churches in Germany often require special protection due to the risk of fire. Around 50 to 60 church fires occur every year, which corresponds to an average of one fire per week. Many of these fires are small and are quickly extinguished, but large fires always make up a significant proportion of operations. Between 8 and 17 percent of fires are classified as major fires, endangering not only human safety but also the valuable cultural heritage often found in churches. Historical works of art and building components are often the result of such fire events, whereby after a fire it is not just building rubble that remains, but often valuable cultural assets that can be used for reconstructions.

According to bauerplus.de, smaller churches often have inadequate fire protection measures. Such facilities are often only equipped with the necessary fire protection equipment after a fire. When it comes to firefighting measures, it is not enough just to put out the fire, but also to take comprehensive smoke extraction and ventilation measures to prevent further damage.

The tragic events in Brunsbüttel are a reminder of how important it is to protect cultural heritage, be it through preventive measures or, in the event of emergencies, through quick and decisive action by the fire brigade. This night will be remembered by many for both the significant damage and the bravery shown by the firefighters.