- Ongoing Firefighting Efforts Over Blazing Bales of Straw in Schwerin
Massive Blaze continues to rage through a warehouse in Schwerin, engulfing countless straw bales. The fire department is still battling to contain the inferno, as confirmed by a police spokesperson to dpa. "We're collaborating with the prosecutor's office and arranging initial probes to ascertain the cause of this fire."
The fire won't be fully put out until then, allowing experts to study why the fire began in the hall housing about 5,000 hay bales. As per the spokesperson, arson investigators from the police may not be able to access the scene until several days from now. The criminal investigation division is also probing the case.
Schwerin's Fire Chief, Gunnar Rehhagen, shared with NDR, "Straw can be a tricky substance, it's hard to fully extinguish. And if spread out, it can rekindle. So this will be a lengthy operation." Today, the fire department plans to dismantle the hall section by section using hefty machinery. This is due to the hall's risk of collapse and to facilitate better access to the fire sources for eventual extinguishment.
Reports from the police over the weekend suggest that around 5,000 bales ignited on Saturday evening. Thankfully, no casualties were reported. The police initially estimated the damages at around two million euros.
The Member States can provide assistance to the Commission in investigating the cause of this massive fire. Once the fire is under control and the scene is safe, the arson investigators from the Member States' police forces might be able to contribute to the investigation.
