Major fire in Lengau: 22 fire departments battle blaze at farmstead

Since saving the building was no longer possible, the emergency personnel focused on preventing the flames from spreading to the directly adjacent residential house. The around 270 firefighters succeeded in this. "The agricultural building could no longer be saved," Baier continued. In total, 22 fire departments from the districts of Braunau, Vöcklabruck, and the Flachgau were deployed, as the Braunau district fire department command reported to salzburg24.

Water shortage complicates firefighting efforts

The water supply posed a particular challenge, according to Baier. "Above all, the water shortage is a problem," said the district fire department commander. Without sufficient water, firefighting in rural areas is generally considerably more difficult, which further extended the duration of the operation.

During the firefighting efforts, two firefighters also had to receive medical attention. "Two comrades had to be treated for circulatory problems," Baier reported. Circulatory problems are not uncommon during long operations under heavy respiratory protection and in intense heat, and can occur quickly during the physically demanding work.

Cross-border assistance from Salzburg

The cross-border cooperation between Upper Austria and Salzburg proved to be a central factor in managing the fire. As the reports indicate, 20 fire departments from both federal states worked together to bring the flames under control. The operation once again demonstrated how important well-functioning supra-regional assistance systems are.

Baier expected a "Fire Out" in the early evening. This meant the operation lasted several hours in total, during which the emergency personnel fought the flames without interruption. No official information was initially available regarding the exact cause of the fire or the extent of the damage; further information was expected.

Cause of fire still unclear

Lengau is located in the district of Braunau am Inn, not far from the border with the federal state of Salzburg. The predominantly agricultural region is sparsely populated, which additionally complicates the rapid availability of firefighting water. Farms in this area frequently have only limited water reserves, which is why fire departments rely on shuttle operations with tank fire engines.