Major fire in Bad Harzburg: Ten containers of electronic waste in flames!

Major fire in Bad Harzburg: Ten containers of electronic waste in flames!

On the night of Sunday, October 19, 2025, a major fire broke out on the premises of an electrical recycling company in Bad Harzburg. Loud NDR At least ten containers of electronic waste were on fire. The fire brigade and police were quickly on site to fight the fire and warn the population about the heavy smoke.

The emergency services asked residents to keep windows and doors closed Day24 was described as an important measure. Fortunately, no one was injured and firefighters had the fire completely under control after a few hours. Damage is estimated at around 10,000 euros, and another building was only slightly damaged. The all-clear was given soon after the operation.

Cause of fire unknown

Although the police have started an investigation into the cause of the fire, it is clear that there is no suspicion of arson. This clarification gives hope that the incident was not due to malicious intent. However, a separate fire in Hambühren, which also happened last week, is believed by police to have been arson, and the damage there could amount to several million euros.

Especially when it comes to electronic waste, it is important to consider the environmental impact. According to that NABU Electronic waste includes all devices that require electricity and contains valuable materials, but also harmful substances such as lead and mercury. So dealing with such waste should not be taken lightly and proper disposal is crucial to environmental health.

Electronic waste and its recycling

Germany produces over eight million tons of electronic waste every year, with a devastating recycling rate of just 44.1 percent. Most old electronic devices do not end up in recycling, meaning over a million tonnes of valuable resources are lost. At the same time, legal regulations for the return and recycling of electrical appliances have been tightened, but the road to effective waste management still remains rocky.

The fire once again made people aware of how important it is to recover materials. The many valuable materials in such containers could be reused through a proper recycling process, but the dangers of improperly handling electronic waste should not be underestimated. The concern is clear: the responsible use of old electrical devices should be even more firmly anchored among the general population.