In Castrop-Rauxel, the fire department fought a fire in a hardware store with a large contingent. The building was largely destroyed. The fire is now under control.
According to the fire department, the building was completely engulfed in flames within a very short time. According to the fire department, there were no injuries. All firefighters in the city were alerted to the large-scale operation.
The scene of the fire the morning after
The alarm was received by the rescue control center at around 7:20 p.m. The hardware store was no longer open by then. When the first emergency services arrived there, the building was dark and locked. The fire brigade was able to bring gas bottles to safety on the outside area of the hardware store. According to a spokesman, drone images showed that the roof had partially collapsed.
Warning about smoke gases in Castrop-Rauxel
The fire in Castrop-Rauxel caused a dark cloud of smoke that reached the neighboring town of Herne. As a precaution, the authorities called on the population to keep windows and doors closed and not to spend time outdoors. The population was also informed via the NINA warning app.
The building was completely engulfed in flames
In addition, isolated soot particles were deposited. Residents in the Bladenhorst and Pöppinghausen districts were asked not to touch the soot particles as a precaution.
The THW was requested to carry out the clean-up work. The fire department has a fire watch on site and assumes that they will have to monitor the burnt-out hall until at least Thursday morning to ensure that no embers are reignited. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Our sources:
We also reported on this topic on television on March 26, 2024: WDR aktuell: 9:45 p.m.