Olpe industrial waste fire requires 65 firefighters

A large amount of industrial waste caught fire at a company yard on Griesemert in Olpe, Germany, on Sunday. Approximately 65 emergency personnel responded to the blaze, utilizing two water throwers, three handheld nozzles, and foam agents to combat the flames.

Firefighters used a backhoe to spread out the burning material to reach and extinguish deep-seated embers. Due to heavy smoke development and an inversion weather situation, authorities issued a public warning via the NINA app to protect local residents.

The operation lasted approximately five hours. While a confirmed cause has not been established, officials noted that the improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries or accumulators could potentially cause such fires through short circuits.