Bruchsal recycling plant fire extinguished after eight‑hour effort

On 27‑28 May, a fire broke out at a recycling firm in Bruchsal, Germany, engulfing about 50 of the roughly 500 stored compressed paper bales. Approximately 150 firefighters, including 30 breathing‑apparatus teams, fought the blaze for eight hours, using two excavators operated by the plant’s staff to pull burning bales outside for safe extinguishment.

No injuries were reported, and the damage was estimated at around €50,000. Authorities have not determined a definitive cause, but a police spokesperson suggested the bales may have self‑ignited.