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Urgent warning: Fire gases threaten Steinburg – act now!
Warning about fire gases in Elmshorn: Population in the Steinburg district urged to take measures to protect against health risks.
Urgent warning: Fire gases threaten Steinburg – act now!
On July 12, 2025, the West Cooperative Regional Control Center in Elmshorn issued an urgent warning. The population in the Steinburg district is being warned about the dangers posed by fire gases that were released during a current fire brigade operation on Bahnhofstrasse in Puls. The warning came into force at 12:01 p.m. and applies specifically to the state of Schleswig-Holstein. Residents are urged to keep their windows and doors closed and turn off ventilation and air conditioning to minimize health risks. According to news.de, fires can pose significant health risks, ranging from serious injuries to life-threatening conditions.
It is particularly important that fire gases often contain a high concentration of respiratory toxins. These arise during combustion, as the respiratory protection lexicon explains. Dangerous substances include carbon monoxide (CO), which is not only toxic but also displaces oxygen. Anyone who is in closed rooms with such gases should definitely use respiratory protection that is independent of circulating air. It is alarming that around 75 percent of fire victims in Germany die from gas poisoning.
Rules of conduct and risks
To reduce the risk of health damage, residents in the affected area should strictly adhere to the following rules of conduct:
- Das Bereich des Brandgeschehens meiden.
- Fenster und Türen geschlossen halten.
- Lüftungs- und Klimaanlagen sofort abschalten.
Although the risk is currently classified as low, caution is advised. Respiratory toxins can occur in high concentrations, especially if the oxygen supply decreases during the fire. This can have fatal consequences. According to the information from [deutsche- Schadenshilfe.de](https://deutsche- Schadenshilfe.de/brand Schaden/gesundheitsgefaehrdung-nach-brand/), fires produce pollutants that ultimately end up in the air. In severe fires, soot particles, which can be harmful to health, can be released into the environment, especially when toxic materials such as paints or wood preservatives are burned.
Long-term consequences and protective measures
After a fire, the risk of long-term health risks also remains. Pollutants such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls and other harmful chemicals can build up in soil or plants. The Respiratory Protection Lexicon points out that it is important to thoroughly ventilate all affected areas after a fire. Important protective precautions apply to everyone who has to deal with the traces of the fire, be it clean-up work or renovation work: protective equipment, respiratory protection and closing doors to unaffected rooms are essential to minimize the risk of further health risks.
Local authorities will inform residents of the all-clear as soon as possible. Until then, keeping a watchful eye on developments and strict adherence to safety instructions remain the order of the day.