Three fires in Calau: Fire brigade fights against flames and technical breakdowns

Three fires in Calau: Fire brigade fights against flames and technical breakdowns

In Calau, in the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district, there were a series of fires on Wednesday, July 3, 2025, which kept the local fire departments on tenterhooks. In a total of three operations within just twelve hours, the fire brigade demonstrated impressive responsiveness. Loud Niederlausitz Current The fire brigade was able to successfully bring a fire under control in a guesthouse in the Werchow district on Cabeler Berg on Wednesday afternoon. Fortunately, there were no injuries and the rapid response prevented major damage. The police have started an investigation to clarify the cause of the fire, although a possible technical defect is suspected.

Another fire occurred in the evening: around 500 square meters of forest between Craupe and the A13 motorway were in flames. The fire brigade also arrived quickly and was able to prevent the fire from spreading. But the operations didn't end there: In the early hours of the morning, at 2:15 a.m., a hedge at the elementary school in Springteichallee was set on fire. However, an attentive resident was able to put out the fire himself before the fire department arrived.

Traffic accidents and causes of fires

It wasn't just fires that occupied the emergency services that day. There was a car fire in Lauchhammer that was caused by a technical defect in an AUDI. The driver was uninjured, but the damage to the vehicle amounts to around 40,000 euros. In addition, several people were slightly injured in traffic accidents in Boblitz and Lübbenau. A car collided with a MOFA, with material damage estimated at around 1,000 euros. In another incident, a cyclist was hit by a car in Lübbenau and had to be taken to hospital, while another accident at an intersection resulted in around 5,000 euros worth of damage, in which fortunately no one was injured.

The causes of fires often have technical reasons. A recent study by the Loss Prevention Institute shows that technical defects are a common cause that can result not only in fires but also in traffic accidents. It is therefore of the utmost importance that such incidents are monitored closely and, if possible, the causes are investigated.

Preparation through exercises

In order to be prepared for such emergencies, regular practice is essential. On March 22, 2025, a comprehensive KHD exercise took place in Rabensburg, which was intended to improve the cooperation of the disaster relief service in the Gänserndorf region. With the participation of 12 fire departments, 89 vehicles and 383 firefighters, a variety of scenarios were played out, ranging from field and forest fires to traffic accidents requiring rescue of people. It turned out that cooperation in operational management and the distribution of tasks between the units is crucial. “Water is often one of the biggest challenges,” reported FFDW, several hundred meters of water had to be pumped out of a pond.

The events in Calau are a powerful reminder of how important the fire brigade's readiness is. It is often technical defects that can lead to serious fires, and regular training for firefighters ensures that they are well prepared for all eventualities. The safety of citizens is the top priority.