Major fire in the Alfter-Impekoven construction yard: Fire brigade on duty!

Major fire in the Alfter-Impekoven construction yard: Fire brigade on duty!

On the night of Saturday to Sunday, January 1, 2025, a fire occurred in the vehicle and equipment hall of the municipal building yard in Alfter-Impekoven. At around 1:00 a.m., the fire department was alerted by a construction yard employee after a construction vehicle in the hall burst into flames. The fire caused a significant amount of smoke, which required a quick response from emergency services.

The fire department was able to successfully prevent the fire from spreading and quickly brought the situation under control. Despite the quick measures, fire residue and the effects of heat caused significant damage to the hall and the vehicles stored there. Around 45 volunteer emergency services from various firefighting groups, including Gielsdorf, Impekoven and Witterschlick, as well as the Bonn-Duisdorf firefighting unit and the Alfter fire brigade's management service were on site.

Investigation into the cause of the fire

The damage site was inspected overnight by local government executives. The Bonn police have started an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. It is believed that electrical faults could be a possible cause. According to statistics from the Institute for Loss Prevention and Loss Research (IFS) from 2002 to 2021, around 33% of the fires examined were caused by electricity. These numbers illustrate the relevance of electrical fire causes, which are often caused by insulation damage or loose contacts, also for this incident.

In recent years, data from the IFS damage database shows that electrical faults often prove to be the cause of fires. The proportion of fires caused by electrical installations was 25% in 2021, while electrical equipment accounted for 54%. This suggests that outdated electrical installations may pose an increased risk of fire. Insulated and poorly maintained devices in particular are potential sources of danger that require regular inspection.

Fire prevention and safety guidelines

The recommendations for damage prevention include regular inspections of electrical systems and compliance with manufacturer instructions when using electrical devices. In particular, the safety of lithium batteries and rechargeable batteries, which are increasingly coming into focus, requires more attention. Fires associated with these batteries have been found to be experiencing a significant increase, highlighting the need for public awareness.

The Alfter fire department will continue to provide information about developments in this case. Further information is available on the Alfter Fire Department website, which provides regular updates on operations and fire prevention. If you would like to find out more about fire prevention, you can find relevant resources at this link.