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Cigarette ignites inferno: house in Borstel uninhabitable!
A fire in Borstel caused by smoking makes a house uninhabitable. Fire brigade prevented anything worse, damage: 500,000 euros.
Cigarette ignites inferno: house in Borstel uninhabitable!
A dramatic fire night in Borstel
In Borstel, Diepholz district, there was a disastrous house fire on the night of November 15, 2025. A 40-year-old man who was smoking while watching a football game probably set his own couch on fire with a cigarette. Shortly before the man was about to leave the attic, his cozy evening turned into chaos when the sofa burst into flames. How ndr.de According to reports, the resident, who was startled by the smoke, called emergency services around 1:40 a.m.
The fire spread quickly and soon engulfed the entire roof of the house. Despite his efforts to put out the fire himself, the man sustained minor burns. Together with his 62-year-old mother, he managed to escape outside. When the fire brigade arrived, the entire attic was already in flames. The emergency services acted quickly to prevent the flames from spreading to the adjacent barn and an intermediate building.
Significant property damage of around half a million euros remains and the family home is now uninhabitable.
The role of the fire department
However, the fire department, which often plays a life-saving role in such an emergency, also faces legal issues. According to information from fachanwaltsuche.de It is only liable under special circumstances for damage that occurs during an operation. The fire department has to set up fire watches to monitor embers in order to prevent them from flaring up again. Jurisprudence shows that the fire brigade can only be held responsible for damage caused by gross negligence.
The legal framework is important in order to better understand and secure the services of the fire brigade, but at the same time it also shows how great responsibility rests on the shoulders of the emergency services.
Causes and risks
Fire danger is an ever-present issue that can quickly come to the fore through careless actions or faulty equipment. The Fire protection headquarters lists “fire-hazardous work” as one of the most common causes of fire. In both professional and private settings, inexperienced people need to be particularly careful when handling heat-based equipment, such as hot glue guns or soldering irons.
The tragic incident in Borstel serves as a warning example of the dangers associated with careless behavior when dealing with open fire. To ensure fire safety, it is advisable to always be vigilant and take preventative measures.
Especially in the cold season, when many people retreat into the warmth and look for something cozy, the risk of a fire caused by careless actions should not be underestimated.