Emergency Services Respond to Storm Damage and Building Fire in Hollenstein
Last Thursday proved to be a busy day for the volunteer firefighters in Hollenstein as they responded to multiple emergencies triggered by severe weather conditions. The first incident occurred around noon when firefighters teamed up with their counterparts from Opponitz and St. Georgen/Reith to tackle a forest and grass fire in Opponitz, effectively preventing a more severe outcome.
Shortly after managing the fire, the firefighters received another call regarding storm-related damage. Strong wind gusts had caused a tree to fall across the L 6179 road towards Mendlingtal, obstructing traffic. Firefighters promptly cleared the fallen tree, restoring safe passage for vehicles.
As the day progressed, another alarm sounded at around 3 PM. A large beech tree had toppled onto the Saurüsselstraße L 99 heading towards Weyer. Firefighters arrived quickly to remove the obstruction and clear the roadway.
Following a smaller incident on the B 31, where another tree had fallen and impeded traffic near the fire station, Hollenstein's firefighters were alerted just after 7 PM to a building fire. Fortunately, the situation was not as dire as initially feared. The smoke was emanating from a rooftop on a wood chip heating facility, caused by an ember nest discovered in the dry moss covering the roof. Firefighters took immediate action, partially removing the roof covering and checking for additional embers, which were successfully extinguished.
The efficient response of the firefighters ensured that both the storm damage and the building fire were dealt with swiftly, minimizing potential harm to the community and property.