Fire in Multi-Party House in Wiener Neudorf: This Was the Trigger

An open flame in the area of the stovetop was identified by the Lower Austria State Criminal Office as the most likely cause, said police spokesman Stefan Loidl on Monday in response to an APA inquiry. Fat is believed to have started burning. Four people were taken to Mödling hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.

When the fire broke out in an apartment on the fourth floor in the morning, around 30 people were in the building on Reisenbauer-Ring, including people with mobility impairments. Eight fire departments with 170 members and 35 vehicles responded. Upon the arrival of the emergency services, meter-high flames were already shooting out of the windows and the balcony of the affected apartment. Balconies above and the facade were also affected. Due to the massive smoke development in the stairwell, several people were trapped in their apartments and were partially rescued with the help of escape filter masks by numerous breathing protection teams, the district fire command announced in a release.

Fire in Multi-Family House in Wiener Neudorf: Challenging Extinguishing Operations

Due to the enormous heat development in the affected apartment, firefighting was "extremely challenging," reported the fire department: "Presumably favored by strong wind at the corner of the building, an advance of the first breathing protection team in the interior attack was initially almost impossible." With the help of a turntable ladder and a boom lift, the fire was fought, and subsequently, extinguishing operations inside were also possible. The spread of the flames to other apartments was prevented. Shortly after 12:00 p.m., "fire out" was declared.

Four People Taken to Hospital

Four people were treated by the Red Cross and transported to the hospital. All other affected individuals were temporarily cared for in the nearby kindergarten. The requested disaster unit of the Vienna Professional Rescue Service (MA 70) remained on standby at the scene but was able to withdraw soon after.

The inspections of the partially heavily smoked apartments were described as particularly laborious. To eliminate any danger to people, numerous doors had to be forcibly opened. Subsequently, the apartments were made provisionally lockable again, or replacement doors were installed. An emergency shelter was set up for a family in the fire station. A building expert found no risk of collapse. The extent of the damage was not yet determined according to police information.

(APA/Red)

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