- Incendiary Ferris Wheel Examination Reveals Initial Indications of Origin
Inquiry into the Highfield Fest Fire on the Ferris Wheel's Progression
Investigators are gaining insights into the cause of the blaze on the Ferris wheel at the Highfield Fest. Preliminary assessments indicate that the substance located beneath the passenger carriage might have contributed to the fire. This was shared by the Saxony Police Department. The material ignited mysteriously and subsequently engulfed a gondola.
Early in the morning, a fire expert arrived at the location near Leipzig. According to a police spokesperson, "The expert has been on the festival grounds since early morning and has commenced his investigations." The primary focus of the investigation is to ascertain how an incident resulting in at least 23 injuries transpired. The scene was secured, and criminal investigators began their probe.
At approximately 9:00 PM on Saturday night, one of the 24 gondolas of the Ferris wheel ignited, and the fire spread to a second gondola. The specifics of those minutes are still being deciphered by investigators. As per police reports, around 25 individuals were hurt - four of whom suffered burns, and one sustained a fall injury. The remaining injured individuals, including first responders and at least four police officers, were examined at the hospital for potential smoke inhalation.
The police couldn't disclose the age and gender of the injured individuals. The exact number of injured is yet to be confirmed, said the spokesperson. The two gondolas that caught fire were rendered unserviceable. It remains uncertain how many people were on the Ferris wheel at the time of the fire. Generally, the gondolas are occupied by a maximum of four people.
Highfield Fest Halted for Two Hours
Fest-goer Guido from Cologne reported in the night that the Ferris wheel suddenly accelerated. The burning gondolas were then at the summit. "Then there was complete silence," the 58-year-old described.
Stephanie, a 40-year-old from Saxony's Werdau, was profoundly shaken. She had been on the Ferris wheel herself just a few minutes before the fire. "We sensed something akin to plastic and thought it originated from the campsite," she described. Upon witnessing the flames on the gondolas, she was astonished at how close she had come to danger. The fest was halted for approximately two hours before continuing.
"I am absolutely astounded by the Ferris wheel fire during my performance at the Highfield," rapper Ski Aggu wrote on Instagram. He was informed through his headphones not to cease his performance to avoid mass hysteria. "Thank you for remaining calm and possibly preventing a more severe incident," he wrote to his fans. He extended well wishes for a speedy recovery to all those affected.
The rock and pop fest at Störmthal Lake, attended by around 30,000 guests, was suspended for about two hours. The show then resumed with a performance by rapper Cro.
The expert investigating the incident noted that the cause of the fire might be linked to the material of circular cross-section located underneath the burned gondola. Furthermore, the other gondolas on the Ferris wheel also had a similar other material of circular cross-section, which raises questions about potential safety issues.
