Major fire in Niestetal: medical supply store is on fire – witnesses wanted!

Major fire in Niestetal: medical supply store is on fire – witnesses wanted!

On Thursday morning, October 10, 2025, there was a devastating fire in a medical supply store in Niestetal, Germany. The fire broke out around 5 a.m. in the building's warehouse, which was already fully ablaze when the fire department arrived. Fortunately, no one was in the building at the time of the fire, which prevented injuries. However, residents of an adjacent residential building were evacuated as a precaution to ensure their safety.

During the extinguishing work, which lasted until midday, the population was asked to keep windows and doors closed due to the heavy smoke. Traffic had to be rerouted to make it easier for emergency services to access the fire site. In order to reach all of the fire pockets, the roof of the building had to be removed. The property damage is estimated at a seven-figure amount, but no precise information could be given about the amount of damage or the cause of the fire.

Investigations initiated

After the fire, the fire site was confiscated for investigation by Commissariat 11 of the Kassel criminal police. There is suspicion of intentional arson, which is why the police are asking for information from the public. Witnesses who have made suspicious observations are asked to contact the North Hesse police headquarters on 0561-9100.

In addition to the fire investigation, the Kassel police are also dealing with other forensic cases. The day before the fire, a 31-year-old man was arrested on a warrant. He is associated with several burglaries in Bettenhausen and Brasselsberg as well as with the major fire in Niestetal.

This man had previously been noticed for damaging property in Bettenhausen, where, among other things, he had broken windows on an office building and a parked Hyundai. After his arrest, he is taken to a correctional facility to begin a nearly two-year prison sentence. Investigators are continuing to work to establish the exact connection between the incidents.

Fire safety statistics and relevance

The incidents in Niestetal also shed light on the importance of fire protection in Germany. According to that FeuerTrutz Comprehensive and uniform fire statistics are not yet available. However, a more precise recording of the causes and consequences of fire could make a significant contribution to improving fire protection. Statistics show that fire incidents are an ongoing challenge in various facilities, including refugee accommodation.

In summary, it should be noted that the investigations into the fire in Niestetal as well as the arrest of the suspect in Bettenhausen present the police with major tasks. The population is called upon to actively participate in clarifying what happened.