Tragic fire in Dörentrup: saved two dogs, two died!

Tragic fire in Dörentrup: saved two dogs, two died!

On the night of September 17, 2025, the Dörentrup fire brigade was called to a fire in the old village street at 3:01 a.m. The site turned out to be a carport that was in full fire. The alarm was initially under the operational keyword "Feuer 2 - Burnt Carport/Garage", but was quickly increased to "Feuer 3". When the first emergency services arrived, the adjacent cultivation of a residential building also burned, which also dramatically tightened the situation. In order to prevent the fire from spreading to the house, the emergency services initiated massive fire fighting and a bar position.

During the extinguishing work, the firefighters discovered four dogs in the affected extension. Two of them could be saved, but all help came too late for the other two. The fire fighting was successful overall and the fire was limited to the extension, so that the house was only slightly damaged. The fire brigade ended around 7:38 a.m. after the situation calmed down and everything was under control. A total of several units were deployed, including Humpfeld, Wendlinghausen, the center and the command service.

Scope of the fire brigade operation

The fire brigade used various vehicle types during the operation. A total of three assistants (HLF20), a tank fire engine (TLF4000), a logistics device car (GW-L1) and an operational control car (ELW1) were in use. In addition, the aerial ladder (DLK 23/12) was requested from the Lemgo fire brigade. The emergency services were also supported by emergency services and police. The police have taken up the cause of the fire and confiscated the site.

The efficiency of the fire brigade is also underlined by the increasing number of missions. In 2022, the fire brigade in Germany moved out to around 229,000 missions for fires and explosions. A total of 333 people came to death through smoke, fire and flames. The use in Dörentrup is another example of the important role of the fire brigade, the main tasks of which include saving, extinguishing, recovering, mounting and shooting. At the end of 2022 there were around 48,100 fire brigades in Germany, with volunteer fire brigades make up most. These have over a million members, many of whom are also active in missions such as that in Dörentrup.

In addition, there was a further remarkable use of the fire brigade when a newspaper deliverer discovered an injured horse that was in a ditch. In this case, both the fire brigade as well as the police and a veterinarian took the quickest possible measures. Despite the efforts on site, the horse had to be euthanased because the injuries were too serious. These missions illustrate the diversity of the tasks that the fire brigade copes in Germany.

For the fire brigade in Dörentrup, this incident is not only a further proof of the dangers associated with fires, but also an appeal for the constant willingness and commitment, which the emergency services show to help in critical situations.