Investigations after gas leak in Vienna-Liesing: Fire investigators from the State Criminal Police Office take over the case

Background: Gas leak after break-in

According to the current state of the investigation, based on police information there is a suspicion of intentional endangering of public safety as well as burglary. The further investigations are now being conducted on suspicion of intentional endangering of public safety and burglary by the fire investigators from the State Criminal Police Office, as stated in a press release.

No specific details regarding the amount of property damage or possible injuries were initially provided. The police cordoned off a wide area around Breitenfurter Straße during the operation. Residents were asked to keep windows and doors closed.

Operation and cordon

For the fire investigators from the State Criminal Police Office, securing evidence is now the priority. Specialists secured traces at the crime scene in order to obtain clues about the unknown perpetrators. Footage from a TV live stream that documented the operation could also be included in the evaluation.

There is no trace of the perpetrators so far. The police are examining possible links with other burglary offenses in the district and are evaluating available video recordings. The police are accepting tips from the public.

Search for the perpetrators

The Vienna Professional Fire Brigade was deployed with several vehicles according to its own statements. Spokesperson Philipp Haßlinger explained the sequence of events to the APA and described the measures taken to eliminate the danger.

After the securing work was completed, the area was reopened. Residents were able to return to their apartments. The investigations by the State Criminal Police Office are meanwhile continuing.

In the coming days, the investigators expect initial evaluations of the secured traces. Should the suspicion of intentional endangering of public safety be confirmed, the perpetrators face a severe penalty, as the act represents a substantial endangerment of the general public.

Possible consequences for the investigators

The police are asking witnesses who noticed anything suspicious in the area of Breitenfurter Straße to contact the nearest police station. Information on possible getaway vehicles is also of interest to the investigators.

The incident in Vienna-Liesing is part of a series of break-ins in the district, in some of which the police are encountering unknown perpetrators. As the authorities emphasize, such offenses illustrate the particular danger that can arise from burglaries when gas lines are additionally tampered with.

The fire investigators from the State Criminal Police Office now want to clarify in the coming weeks how many individuals were involved in the break-in and whether there was a deliberate motive behind the gas leak. The investigations are ongoing.