Speeded-up Ferris wheel aimed at saving lives
In the blaze of two Ferris wheel cabins, the workers may have averted a bigger catastrophe by acting promptly. As the initial inferno ignited from a cabin, they hastened the wheel's rotation – to swiftly vacate passengers from the remaining cabins.
The Ferris wheel blaze broke out during the passenger exchange period, as per the operator, at the Highfield Festival in Leipzig. "My staff informed me that the cabin was empty when the fire ignited," mentioned Sebastian Hannstein from Bremen, visibly upset. He expressed his disbelief, "My family has been managing Ferris wheels for generations. This incident has never occurred before."
Hannstein's employees responded promptly upon witnessing the flames, he explained. "They accelerated the Ferris wheel's rotation to expedite the evacuation of the other cabins," he shared. The operator could not specify the exact number of passengers in the other cabins during the fire's commencement.
The incident unfolded around 9:00 PM on Saturday evening, as the first cabin caught fire, subsequently engulfing a second one. Authorities are still probing the specifics of what transpired during those crucial minutes. According to police reports, at least 23 people were injured – four with burn wounds, one with fall injuries, whereas the rest, including medical personnel and at least four police officers, were hospitalized due to potential smoke inhalation.
Fire specialist from police investigates Ferris wheel
As per the operator, the Ferris wheel stands 38 meters high, housing 24 cabins. "The ride is seven years old. It's too young for a Ferris wheel. I have one that's 30 years old," he added, declining to comment on the potential cause. The following morning, a fire specialist from the police arrived on site to initiate the probe.
The event occurred while rapper Ski Aggu was performing on stage. "I am utterly astonished by the Ferris wheel fire during my show at Highfield," he penned on Instagram. He was informed via headset to continue his performance to maintain calmness and potentially prevent worse. "Thank you for staying calm and potentially aiding in averting worse circumstances," he addressed his fans. He extended well wishes for a swift recovery to those affected.
The rock and pop festival at Lake Störmthal, which hosted approximately 30,000 attendees, was briefly halted for about two hours. Post the pause, the show continued with a performance by rapper Cro.
The Highfield Festival, where the incident occurred, is known for hosting various events and festivals throughout the year. Despite the unfortunate Ferris wheel fire, the festival managed to resume its rock and pop concert featuring Cro.
In the aftermath of the fire, investigations into the cause and safety measures of the Ferris wheel have become a major focus of the Highfield Festival's festivals and events in the coming year.
