Inhalt

Barn in blaze after lightning strike

Category: National Firefighting Team of the Year

Fire department: Volunteer Fire Department Petting, Bavaria (Germany)

The alarm keyword "B4" called the Volunteer Fire Department Petting to a farmyard fire in the middle of the village. After a lightning strike, the operational area of the farm had caught fire. The first forces of the FF Petting arrived on site minutes later. The building was already completely in flames. Forty head of cattle were still inside and large quantities of hay, straw and feed were stored on the upper floor. The situation was even more difficult because all of the farm's structures were built very close to each other. Immediately adjacent to the farm were a Raiffeisen warehouse as well as two farms, a carpentry shop and a residential building. The fire threatened to spread to the attached farmhouse. Likewise, the nearest building was just about to ignite due to the intense heat.

The alarm keyword "B4" had alerted numerous fire departments from the region. This allowed several sectors to be immediately formed – the southern sector, the northern sector and the animal rescue sector. Later, an additional sector was formed for clean-up activities. During the first phase of the fire, the emphasis was on rescuing the animals as well as shielding the attached house and surrounding buildings. Because the air devoid of wind during the operation, the burning hay and straw caused strong smoke development, making it impossible for the animals to remain in the stall. All the cattle and calves were thus removed by firefighters wearing breathing protection and brought to safety on an adjacent pasture. Larger steers were driven into cattle trucks and taken to a nearby farm. Due to the protracted situation, further firefighters were requested. Altogether twelve fire departments fought the fire. Using heavy-duty breathing apparatus, all frightened and distressed animals were freed from the stall. Aided by two turntable ladders and a massive inside attack, the forces simultaneously prevented the fire from spreading to the farmhouse. A water vacuum allowed the colleagues inside the house to keep water damage to a minimum.

Applying a massive amount of water finally got the fire under control. However, there was still very strong smoke development due to the many embers in the hay and straw. Due to the volatile situation in the town centre, the decision was made to tear down the top floor of the operational building and extinguish the burning debris at a storage area outside the town. At 2:00 a.m., the demolition and clean-up work was largely over. Most forces were able to leave at this point. But the readiness of the Petting Fire Department went far beyond fighting the fire. In order not to have to return a completely destroyed stall to the distraught farming family, the FD decided – parallel to posting a fire sentry – to sweep away the last fire debris from the upper floor by hand, to board up the damaged farmhouse roof and to get the stall up and running again for the cattle that had been taken to the nearby pasture. The firefighters freed the stall of soot and fire debris with several jet cleaners and by hand. From 4 a.m. on, they provisionally repaired the electrical systems, water supply and milking system so that they could begin to be operated again. Some farmers who were also FD members obtained hay and feed for the animals, which were able to return to their stall around 6 a.m.

Additionally, some on-site FD members with farming backgrounds even took over the milking and stable work. The last forces left the site around 8 a.m. after completing these tasks. On the following day, more clean-up work was required where the demolished fire debris had been taken.

This operation showed the true meaning of the saying "One for all and all for one". The voluntary commitment by the FD forces – which went far beyond the usual – was a huge support for the affected farmer and his family in these difficult hours. Special thanks go to all surrounding fire departments that helped in this operation.