A new fire station in Stadtallendorf (Marburg-Biedenkopf) was destroyed by fire Wednesday.
The fire spread quickly from an apparatus and thick clouds of smoke were visible from afar. The flames blazed more than ten meters high from the roof of the station, according to Fire World at.
There were no fire alarms in the bay, a decision made by the city as it is a municipal building. There is no legal requirement for a fire alarm system in a fire station, an inspector said.
District Fire Inspector Lars Schäfer said the operation was extremely emotionally stressful. "This is every firefighter's nightmare. No one ever wants to have to put out their own fire station."
About 170 firefighters were involved in the operation.
Although crews tried by all means to limit the damage, the vehicle hall could not be saved and was completely destroyed. However, the adjacent social rooms of the building complex were protected from the flames.
The total damage is estimated at 20 to 24 million euros. The modern fire station, which was only officially opened in January 2024, was considered a showcase project in the district. It had the latest technology, a 23-meter-high training tower and energy-efficient facilities.
For Stadtallendorf, the fire not only means a severe financial loss, but also a temporary restriction of fire protection in the city center. An emergency plan must be developed as quickly as possible in order to provide vehicles from surrounding communities.
The cause of the fire is still unclear. No one was injured in the fire.
