- Fire at an old people's home in Wildeshausen - 87 residents evacuated
Due to a fire in a technical room, a nursing home with 87 residents in Wildeshausen (district of Oldenburg) was evacuated in the early hours of Monday. A 73-year-old man was taken to hospital with smoke inhalation, according to police and fire services. A 40-year-old employee and two 39-year-old first responders were also taken to hospital with minor injuries. All injured persons were later discharged from hospital. No damage was caused to the building, police said.
Over 350 emergency services personnel
Upon arrival of the firefighters, highly toxic smoke was spreading uncontrollably throughout the building via cable and ventilation shafts. The danger to the residents was significant, leading to a major operation involving over 350 personnel, including over 200 firefighters from the region and over 150 personnel from emergency services and police.
Technical fault identified as cause of fire
The cause of the fire was a technical fault in the area of a backup generator, according to reports. The residents were initially cared for outside the nursing home and then transported to the nearby fire station in Wildeshausen, where they received further medical care.
After intensive ventilation of the nursing home, the residents were able to return to the facility during the night. All injured persons were also discharged from hospital, police said.
The firefighting team worked tirelessly to contain the spread of smoke, utilizing their expertise in firefighting techniques. The fire department's quick response and efficient firefighting efforts were crucial in ensuring the safety of the nursing home residents.
