Explosion in Wolfenbüttel: 83-year-old missing, neighbors in fear!

Explosion in Wolfenbüttel: 83-year-old missing, neighbors in fear!

A shocking event shook the tranquil town of Wolfenbüttel yesterday. At around 6:50 p.m. there was a massive explosion in a terraced house, sending the neighborhood into turmoil. Residents reported a loud bang, followed by a thick cloud of smoke that was visible from afar. The emergency services were hit by terrible news: an 83-year-old resident has been missing since then, while the fire department and the Technical Relief Agency (THW) are trying to keep the area safe. The city is in a state of excitement and emergency services face long hours to bring the situation under control.

The fire department reported a total of three people injured, including a firefighter who had to be taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. Two residents suffered blast trauma. A spokesman for the fire department, Olaf Glaeske, said that work may have to be interrupted if the missing person is discovered. It is currently no longer assumed that a living person can be found in the destroyed building.

The causes of the explosion

In the investigation into the explosion so far, clarifying the cause is the top priority. Experts are on site to determine the background. The police are monitoring the property because the statics of the neighboring houses are at risk. Unauthorized entry could be fatal here. As NDR reports, an explosion is a rapid volume expansion of matter in which large amounts of energy are released. Such events can be triggered by various mechanisms, including the sudden expansion of gases that can arise, for example, from chemical reactions. Explosions in nature, such as volcanic eruptions, also show the diversity of this phenomenon.

It is currently unclear whether deflagration - a type of slow combustion - or detonation - a rapid explosion caused by high pressure waves - is responsible for the Wolfenbüttel incident. Couplings like this are of great importance not only in industry, but also in residential areas. Determining the exact cause will continue to be a top priority.

The situation on site

A total of around 140 firefighters are on duty to extinguish the fire and remove the rubble of the collapsed house using excavators and cranes. More than 24 people were treated by rescue workers, including 15 neighbors who were accommodated in nearby hotels. For residents, the situation not only means psychological stress, but also a massive restructuring of everyday life as rescue workers search the area for further potential dangers.

As we can see, a tragedy has unfolded here that is affecting not only those affected, but the entire community. Let's remain optimistic that the search for the 83-year-old missing man will have a happy ending. The emergency services will continue to do everything in the coming days to clarify the exact circumstances of the accident.