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Major fire in Bresegard: 10,000 chickens die, animal protection demands action!
Devastating barn fire in Bresegard claims 10,000 chicken lives. Political debate about fire protection measures breaks out.
Major fire in Bresegard: 10,000 chickens die, animal protection demands action!
In Bresegard near Picher, in the middle of the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, a devastating fire broke out in a poultry house on Monday, which not only claimed the lives of around 10,000 chickens, but also triggered a broad public debate on the subject of fire safety in animal husbandry. The fire brigade was on site with around 120 people and fought against the flames until late in the evening, which had already engulfed the entire building by the time they arrived. The horrific smoke was reportedly visible for miles, prompting the evacuation of a nearby home and warnings for motorists along the A24.
Police investigators are currently assuming negligent arson, while the cause of the fire has not yet been clarified. According to estimates, the material damage amounts to around one million euros. As soon as the fire could be extinguished, residents, who were always advised to keep their windows and doors closed, reported the heavy smoke.
Political reactions and demands
The tragedy not only affected wildlife but also caused enormous political waves. The animal protection foundation “Vier Pfoten” expressed sharp criticism and warned of a systematic failure in fire protection. The foundation urgently calls for fireproof stable sections and access for the animals to outdoor areas in order to prevent similar incidents in the future. Harald Terpe from the Greens called for comprehensive legal regulations for fire protection measures in existing animal husbandry facilities. He described current conditions as unacceptable and called for changes to protect the lives of animals.
Ina Latendorf from the Left was particularly harsh in her criticism. She referred to the catastrophic events of 2021 in Alt Tellin, where a fire in a stable led to the loss of 50,000 pigs. Their call was joined by numerous colleagues who called for changes to building regulations to ensure the protection of animals. Reference is also made to similar incidents in Lower Saxony, in which hundreds of piglets and laying hens died.
Key data on stable fires in Germany
The situation in Bresegard is not an isolated case. As a recent study shows, barn fires are a widespread problem in Germany. Tens of thousands of animals suffer from it every year. Fire protection in livestock farming urgently needs reforms in order to minimize the risks to animals. A congress in March 2023, which focused on effective fire protection measures in livestock farming, brought together experts from the fire service, agriculture and science to discuss innovative solutions and take concrete steps for improvement. It became clear that so far the focus has mostly been on protecting people, but not enough on animals.
The incident in Bresegard could therefore serve as a wake-up call for everyone involved: the protection of animals must be at the top of the political agenda in times like these. The demands for better training of emergency services and more targeted fire protection concepts are clear and urgent. Only through joint efforts can the suffering of animals be reduced in the future.
For further information on the events, we refer to the reporting by NDR and T-Online, which clearly show the initial situation and the political reactions. You can also find out more about the discussions surrounding fire protection in livestock farming in the press releases from the state government of Brandenburg.