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A fire occurred on May 23 at 1:11 a.m. in the old town of Hallein. In a basement area of an multi -party house, there was a fire with dense smoke development. The cause of the fire is currently still unclear. Three people had to be admitted to the Salzburg accident hospital. The damage is currently not known. The surveys for the cause of the fire are underway.
Hallein. On the night of May 23, 2025, the volunteer fire brigade of the city of Hallein was called to a cellar fire in the old town of Hallein at 1:11 a.m.
“Already when the head of the operations arrived, a strong smoke development from the area of the basement compartments, which is located on the ground floor right next to the main entrance of an multi-party house. The staircase was already partially smoky, the residents were closed to the staircase and pointed out that there were several e-scooters in the basement,” said the Hallein volunteer fire brigade.
Respiratory protection force in action
Due to the heavy smoke development, a respiratory protection squad of tank fire engine 1 (Hallein) was used to fight fire in the internal attack. At the same time, another squad was busy with ventilation measures. In the course of the operation, further respiratory protection teams from tank fire engine 2 and the fire truck to support and transfer them were called up. At night, a total of seven respiratory protection teams were used to curb the fire under heavy respiratory protection and get the building smoke -free.
Residents were evacuated
The Hllein volunteer fire brigade evacuated a total of 20 residents from the building. Three people were brought to the UKH Salzburg (accident hospital) by the Red Cross suspected of flue gas poisoning. In the short term, the evacuated persons were accommodated in the nearby music. At the same time, the emergency services checked all apartments and the staircase with a CO measuring device. After approval by the fire brigade, the residents were able to return to their apartments. The called up police secured the affected basement as a crime scene. The exact cause of the fire is currently still the subject of police investigations.
Fire from 3:00 a.m.
The operations manager Sebastian Wass was able to report “brand under control” at 02:24. The basement compartments were partially cleared, among other things, propane gas bottles were recovered and brought to safety. At 3:00 a.m., all fire spots were deleted, remaining wood cladding was removed and treated with network agents to prevent rebuilding. At 3:18 a.m. “Brand from” was finally reported.
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Okay, here’s a fictional discussion between a Time.news editor and an expert, based on the provided article about the fire in hallein.
Characters:
Sarah: Editor at Time.news, responsible for speedy-turnaround news pieces.
Dr. Anya Sharma: Fire Safety Engineer and Expert
Scene: A virtual meeting room.
(Sarah is on screen, reviewing notes. Anya joins the call.)
Sarah: Anya, thanks for jumping on this so quickly.We just got this report about a fire in Hallein,austria. It happened last night, May 23, 2025. A basement fire in an old town apartment building. I need to put something together for the website within the hour.
Dr. Sharma: Glad to help, Sarah. I’ve had a quick look at the report you sent. So, basement fire in a multi-unit dwelling, old town section. initial reports suggest heavy smoke and they had to evacuate residents.
Sarah: Exactly.The article mentions three people were hospitalized with suspected flue gas poisoning. 20 residents were evacuated and temporarily put up in a music hall. What are the immediate implications of smoke inhalation of this type of incident? What is the risk of flue gas poisoning?
Dr. Sharma: flue gas poisoning is a serious risk in any fire, especially in enclosed spaces like basements. The primary concern is carbon monoxide, which is odorless and colorless but highly toxic. It displaces oxygen in the bloodstream, leading to hypoxia. Symptoms can range from headaches and dizziness to loss of consciousness and death. The elderly, children, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions are especially vulnerable.
Sarah: Okay, importent to highlight that. The article also mentions “several e-scooters” were located in the basement. Is this a concern in modern apartment fires?
Dr. Sharma: Absolutely. E-scooters,along with e-bikes and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries,present a significant fire risk. If a battery is damaged, faulty, or overcharged, it can experience thermal runaway, leading to a rapid and intense fire that’s arduous to extinguish and releases toxic fumes. There is a heightened risk of battery fires with lithium-ion devices that are stored in multi-unit dwellings and shared spaces.
Sarah: The fire brigade used multiple respiratory protection teams.What does that say about the intensity of the fire,or the dangers they were facing?
Dr. Sharma: It tells me that the fire was likely producing a lot of smoke and possibly involved materials that released harmful chemicals when burned. Using multiple respiratory protection teams indicates a sustained effort to contain the fire and protect firefighters from exposure to hazardous conditions. it emphasizes the severity of the situation and the need for specialized equipment and training.
Sarah: The article states police secured the basement as a crime scene. What does that suggest?
Dr Sharma: That’s a standard procedure when the cause isn’t instantly clear. It means arson or negligence is a possibility that investigators need to rule out. They will collect evidence to determine how the fire started and if any laws were broken.
Sarah: what are the key takeaways for our readers in terms of fire safety, especially given this happened in an older building in an old town?
Dr. Sharma: Several key points:
Smoke Detectors: Ensure working smoke detectors are installed on every level and outside sleeping areas. Test them monthly.
Escape Plan: Have a fire escape plan for yoru home, especially in multi-story buildings. Know your exits and designated meeting point.
lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Store and charge e-scooters/e-bikes in well-ventilated areas, away from flammable materials. use only the manufacturer-approved charger and don’t leave them charging unattended, especially overnight. Consider fire-resistant containers for storage.
Old Buildings: Older buildings may lack modern fire safety features. Pay close attention to exits and ensure they are unobstructed. Be aware of potential fire hazards like old wiring.
* Basement Hazards: Keeping the basement clean and uncluttered, and minimizing the storage of flammable materials in the basement also helps.
Sarah: That’s extremely helpful, Anya. Thanks so much. I can definitely incorporate this into a concise and informative piece for our readers.
dr. Sharma: You’re welcome, Sarah. Fire safety awareness is crucial, especially in densely populated areas. Be sure to emphasize the importance of caution with these new technologies that become increasingly mainstream.
(Sarah nods, already typing.)
Sarah: Will do. thanks again!
(the call ends.)
