Barn burns down in Carinthia: Two calves die in the flames

Course of events and damage

During the firefighting operations, the L 47, also known as the Ossiacher Tauern road, had to be closed completely. Traffic was diverted locally; a nearby cycling path was also affected by the closure. The road could only be reopened after the firefighting operations and initial safety measures were completed. Residents were asked to give the area a wide berth.

The fire department was on site with several emergency personnel, supported by an aerial ladder truck. The water supply in the remote area posed additional logistical challenges for the crews. After the firefighting operations, overhaul work was carried out to prevent the fire from flaring up again. A complicating factor was that a pasture was located near the barn building, raising fears that the flames could spread to other areas.

Investigations into the cause of the fire

Regarding the cause of the fire, there were initially no confirmed findings in the morning. The investigation has been initiated, and a fire cause expert was also called in according to emergency services. Whether a technical defect, a lightning strike, or another cause is possible remains open at present. Only the result of the investigations is expected to shed light on the course of events.

The incident occurred in the municipality of Feldkirchen in Carinthia, in the locality of Glanhofen, near the village of St. Martin. The region around the Ossiacher Tauern is shaped by agriculture, with numerous farms located in the immediate vicinity. The immediate consequences of the fire for the affected farm are not yet foreseeable. Insurance matters and possible offers of help from the neighborhood are also currently being reviewed.

Impact on traffic and residents

For the emergency services, it was already the second major operation that night. The fire department was deployed continuously for several hours before the fire could be brought under control. Staff of the Red Cross were not required according to initial findings, as no personal injuries were to be reported. The police secured evidence at the scene of the fire, and the cattle farmers were asked to apply a pressure bandage on the pasture to secure the barn.

The responsible authorities will continue the investigation in the coming days. The aim is to clarify the exact cause of the fire and to examine possible consequences for the operation. Local chambers of agriculture have already offered support to the affected farm. The fire department itself also announced that it would publish an operational review in the coming days.

Residents who can provide information about the incident were asked to contact the police in Feldkirchen. After the completion of the overhaul work, the recovery of the burned barn building will begin next week. According to the authorities, the entire incident will be thoroughly reviewed.

While the cause of the fire remains unclear, the L 47 (Ossiacher Tauern road) was completely closed during the firefighting operations. The closure led to considerable disruptions in commuter traffic in the early morning. The road could only be reopened to traffic in the late morning.