15-year-old from the district of Urfahr-Umgebung sets meadow on fire in St. Georgen an der Gusen with pyrotechnics

Einsatz und Löscharbeiten

During the course of the investigation, the police were able to identify a 15-year-old from the district of Urfahr-Umgebung as the suspected cause. The Upper Austrian State Criminal Police Office stated: „Ein 15-Jähriger aus dem Bezirk Urfahr-Umgebung konnte als mutmaßlicher Verursacher identifiziert werden."

The police investigations are focusing in particular on the question of how the teenager was able to ignite the fireworks battery in the immediate vicinity of a dry meadow. It is also being examined whether technical or structural protective measures were in place at the affected site.

Rechtliche Einordnung

Legal consequences for the 15-year-old are the subject of ongoing investigations. In Austria, strict age limits apply to the handling of pyrotechnics; the use of fireworks batteries is subject to legal restrictions.

As the State Criminal Police Office further announced, the investigations into the exact course of events and the origin of the pyrotechnics used are ongoing. Experts are also expected to reconstruct the ignition process.

Brandgefahr durch Pyrotechnik

In view of the ongoing drought in parts of Upper Austria, emergency services have repeatedly pointed out in the past the particular fire danger posed by carelessly ignited fireworks. Mayors and the fire department called on the public not to use any pyrotechnics in the coming weeks near meadows and forests.

The police asked the population to report any information regarding further possible incidents involving fireworks in the St. Georgen an der Gusen region to the nearest police stations. Local residents who may have photo or video footage from the area around the fire scene were also asked to come forward.

Ermittlungen und weitere Schritte

As of the afternoon, the police confirmed that the fire had been completely extinguished and that no further pockets of embers had been discovered at the fire site. The investigations have not yet been completed and will be continued in the coming days.

The incident is part of a series of meadow fires in Upper Austria during the summer months of 2026, which, according to the assessment of emergency services, are frequently attributable to careless handling of fire and pyrotechnics.

The municipality of St. Georgen an der Gusen announced that it would inspect the area around the fire site together with the fire department and, if necessary, implement further protective measures to prevent future incidents.

The public prosecutor's office will decide on possible follow-up steps once the police investigations have been completed. Until then, the presumption of innocence applies to the teenager; no further information was initially available.