As the Trierischer Volksfreund reports, initial assessments pointed to a burning hedge in Bitburg, but the situation on-site painted a different picture. At 9:38 p.m., the rescue control centre received a report of a supposed fire. Arriving at the scene, the fire brigade and police observed heavy smoke but did not find any signs of an open fire. Instead, an acrid, untypical odour lingered in the air.
The homeowner then revealed that she had recently used a chemical agent against voles that reacts violently upon contact with water. After watering her hedge, she noticed an immediate, heavy emission of smoke, leading her to suspect a fire.
Quickly thereafter, emergency services established a wide cordon around the hazard zone and alerted both the rapid response group and the hazardous materials unit from the Bitburg-Prüm district’s fire brigade for further intervention.
Based on the safety sheet data for the discharged chemical, rescue services and an emergency doctor were informed to treat potential smoke inhalation victims as a precautionary measure. Consequently, 19 individuals, including 14 firefighters, two police officers, the homeowner, and two bystanders were transported to nearby hospitals for observational purposes. No symptoms of poisoning have been reported.
Following successful intervention by the fire brigade’s specialist services, a toxin measurement was conducted by the hazardous materials unit at 2 a.m. No hazardous substances were detected. The Bitburg Police Inspectorate involved the city administration and the local water authority in evaluating and addressing the situation. A joint decision regarding the release of the site is expected later in the day.
In total, around 50 fire brigade members, including the rapid response team and the hazardous materials unit, ten rescue workers, an emergency doctor, and two police officers were deployed in response to this incident.
