Home in Stinatz completely destroyed after lightning strike!

Home in Stinatz completely destroyed after lightning strike!

On June 1, 2025, a devastating major fire occurred in the center of Stinatz, Burgenland, which completely destroyed two of the historic buildings of the Heimathaus. The probable cause is believed to be a lightning strike that occurred during a thunderstorm. The incident was reported at 9:18 p.m. when a fire alarm was manually triggered by a third party. The alert level was increased to B3 due to the rapid expansion of the fire, which resulted in a comprehensive response from the fire brigade. This reports Fireworld.

When the first emergency services arrived, the thatched roof was already fully ablaze and the firefighters were faced with thick smoke, strong winds and meter-high flames. This made the situation considerably worse, especially as flying sparks set two fire engines on fire, but they were quickly extinguished. Over 170 emergency services were mobilized, including nine fire departments with 23 vehicles. Nine respiratory protection teams were deployed to fight the fire. The first forces fought the flames for a long time to get the fire under control, which was finally achieved at around 11 p.m., while the entire operation was ended at 1 a.m., as weekend reported.

Consequences of the fire

The material damage is significant and the intrinsic value of the destroyed buildings can hardly be quantified. The community of Stinatz and the Stinatz Beautification Association suffered an enormous loss. While some valuable objects, including dolls in the original Stinatz costume, were saved, the loss of the two historic buildings remains a serious blow to the community.

Not only the local fire brigades were involved in the operation, but also the rescue service, which was on site with three paramedics, and the Stegersbach police with four personnel. The diverse support and use of modern technology, such as the drone for situation reconnaissance and the telescopic mast platform of the Oberwart fire department, underline the importance of effective emergency preparedness and the alertness of the emergency services Fire defiance explained.

The fire investigation is continuing by police to clarify the exact circumstances of the devastating incident. The combination of lightning and the destructive power of fire is a stark reminder of the significant challenges fire departments and communities face when it comes to fire protection.