Spread to forest

Carinthian emergency services battled a meadow fire

Several fire departments responded to a meadow fire

(Bild: FF Straßburg)

A large meadow fire claimed the lives of five fire departments, the Ministry of the Interior helicopter and the police in Schmaritzen (Carinthia) on Thursday. The flames also threatened to spread to a wooded area and a house.

It is still unclear what started the fire in Schmaritzen near Strasbourg. The landowner raised the alarm, whereupon around 60 firefighters battled the blaze. "The one-hectare meadow had to be extinguished using heavy breathing apparatus," reports the Strasbourg fire brigade.

Small section of forest affected
Particularly dangerous: the fire also threatened to spread to the adjacent forest and a house. "A small part of the forest had already caught fire, but thanks to the rapid intervention and the good equipment of the fire department, the worst was prevented," reports Friedrich Monai, commander of the Strasbourg fire brigade. A nearby pond served as a "water tank".

Thaw provided challenges
The Ministry of the Interior's "Libelle" helicopter was also deployed to investigate the situation. "It was also challenging that the ground had thawed due to the high temperatures and was therefore slippery and slippery," continued the commander. In some cases, the ten vehicles deployed had to drive with chains. Post-extinguishing work is still ongoing and isolated pockets of embers are still being extinguished.