Major Fire at Vienna Waste Hall: Police Rule Out Third-Party Negligence

Instead, the findings so far point to spontaneous combustion in connection with improperly disposed materials. „Es kann daher mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit davon ausgegangen werden, dass der Brand durch einen der oa. Gegenstände im Zuge der Lagerung initiiert worden ist", a spokesperson explained.

In the fire debris, the investigators found numerous improper disposals, including batteries, battery components, electrical parts, and spray cans. These substances are considered highly flammable and can ignite on their own if stored improperly.

Investigations by the Federal Criminal Police Office (BK) and the State Criminal Police Office (LKA) aimed to clarify both the cause of the fire and possible safety deficiencies in the hall. Following the conclusion of initial findings, it has been established that the fire was attributable to improper storage.

Impact on Traffic and Residents

The operation by the Vienna Professional Fire Brigade lasted throughout the entire night. Due to the massive plume of smoke, the Südosttangente — one of the city's most important traffic arteries — had to be closed multiple times. Rail traffic on the adjacent line and operations on the U2 were also interrupted.

Over the weekend, police explicitly pointed out that tips from the public would continue to be reviewed. Should new leads emerge, the investigations could be expanded again, it was stated.

Experts have long warned about the risks of improperly disposed batteries and accumulators. In waste processing facilities, damaged cells can cause short circuits and thus trigger fires. The incident in Vienna-Donaustadt is considered a typical example in this regard.

Risks from Improper Disposals in Waste Facilities

For residents in the Donaustadt district, the fire had significant consequences: In addition to the traffic disruptions, the public was urged to keep windows and doors closed in order to minimize exposure to the smoke.

According to police, the waste hall itself will not be put back into operation for the time being. First, the site must be secured and the contamination levels examined. According to police, the exact material damage cannot yet be quantified.

In conclusion, the investigators emphasized that, according to the current state of affairs, the case is closed provided no new evidence emerges. This leaves the clarification of the sequence of events open, but based on the current evidence, it is likely to stand.

The APA reported on Sunday on the current state of the investigations. Details on the settlement of damages and on the further operation of the facility are expected to follow in the coming days.