Major operation in Tyrol

House of a family of six in flames

When the fire department arrived, the roof truss was already fully engulfed in flames.

(Bild: Feuerwehr Silz)

Large-scale fire department operation on Saturday evening in Silz in the Tyrolean Oberland: a house was on fire in the densely built-up town center of the municipality. More than 100 firefighters battled the inferno. The residents - a family of six - were unharmed. Due to the enormous damage, they cannot return to the house for the time being.

At around 8 p.m., a 36-year-old resident noticed that the power had gone out in the house. "When he finally went outside the house, he noticed that the roof truss was on fire. He immediately raised the alarm and warned the other residents," said police spokesman Stefan Eder in response to an inquiry from "Krone".

Still in the fire station after the exercise
Then it happened in quick succession: the fire department was at the scene within three minutes (!). The Florianis had held an exercise in the afternoon. "Around 30 members were still in the fire station at the time of the alarm and were able to leave immediately," explains fire department commander Michael Haslwanter.

When we arrived, the roof truss was already fully engulfed in flames. All in all, around 120 firefighters were battling the flames.

Feuerwehr-Kommandant Michael Haslwanter

The fire was already visible on the approach, which is why the incident commander also alerted the neighboring fire departments from Haiming and Mötz. "When we arrived, the roof truss was already fully engulfed in flames. All in all, around 120 firefighters were battling the flames," says Haslwanter.

House uninhabitable for the time being
According to the incident commander, a family of six lives in the house. All residents were able to escape to safety. "There were no injuries," confirmed police spokesperson Eder. The fire affected the entire second floor, the attic area with roof truss and an attached barn. The house is uninhabitable for the time being. "The mayor has issued a no-entry order," said the fire department. According to Haslwanter, alternative accommodation has now been organized for the family.

Difficult operation in the town center
The operation was difficult for the fire department because the area is densely built-up. Some of the neighboring buildings are only a few centimeters away. "The aim was to prevent the flames from spreading. In the end, we succeeded," says the incident commander. Only the windows of a neighboring house were broken by the enormous heat. 

The fire was finally put out around midnight. A fire watch was still on site overnight. The cause of the fire is still completely unclear. Investigations are ongoing.