Major operation in Hessisch Oldendorf: Fire in the oxygen warehouse raises the alarm!

Major operation in Hessisch Oldendorf: Fire in the oxygen warehouse raises the alarm!

Last night there was a large fire brigade operation in Hessisch Oldendorf. At the BDH clinic, a fire broke out in the oxygen warehouse, which led to a fire level 4 alarm - meaning high alert. City fire chief Tobias Ebbighausen received initial information about rising smoke during the journey and this turned out to be a harbinger of the worst. Flames in the oxygen warehouse not only endangered the building, but also the safety of the surrounding area, as oxygen cylinders pose a high risk of explosion.

In total, firefighters from twelve towns and villages were deployed to bring the fire under control. Particular caution was required because the fire department initially had to extinguish the fire from a safe distance. Emergency doctors and ambulances were requested from the Hameln-Pyrmont and Schaumburg districts. The police cordoned off the scene over a large area, while the fire was already “fully ablaze” around 7:50 p.m. and required one person with suspected smoke poisoning to be treated.

Crisis management in an emergency

Such a difficult situation requires precise planning and coordination. The mass casualty incident (MANV) response was triggered as a precautionary measure, meaning the number of injured exceeds the emergency services' regular resources. The MANV is declared according to the DIN 13050:2021-10 standard if there are more than 50 injured, which was not achieved in this case, but preparations for such scenarios are essential. Many emergency services are trained to react quickly and effectively in order to keep a cool head in such emergencies.

In order to be well prepared for such emergency situations, emergency services carry out triage to categorize patients according to the severity of their injuries. Those who are seriously injured receive immediate treatment, while those who are slightly injured receive treatment later. This process is absolutely necessary in order to optimally use the available resources. The fire brigade plays a central role in this – be it rescuing patients from danger areas or securing the scene.

Flames continue to spread

Although firefighters quickly took action, the flames spread into the roof of the building, causing firefighters to open the roof to fight the fire around 9:15 p.m. The emergency services came from various places, including Hessisch Oldendorf, Barksen, Großenwieden, Rohden and many more.

The police have begun an investigation into the cause of the fire. The fire brigade's operation, supported by the Hameln fire brigade with a turntable ladder, was still underway when the situation was brought under control. Where the flames will cause their destruction remains uncertain, but one thing is certain: preparations for such events are crucial for people's safety. This makes it all the more important that firefighters are always ready to face the challenges.

The action carried out yesterday clearly shows how important quick reactions and clear communication are when dealing with emergencies. Although the causes of the fire are unknown, the emergency services did their best to defuse the situation and ensure safe treatment for those injured, which is of utmost importance in such a case. Interested readers can find more information about the mass casualty incident at Forum Publisher and in other specialist articles Fire Department UB.