Cooling tower fire in Hamm: cleaning work begins, houses closed!

Cooling tower fire in Hamm: cleaning work begins, houses closed!

A dramatic fire has turned life in Hamm upside down! A devastating fire broke out in a cooling tower on a former mining site on Monday afternoon, affecting not only the structure itself but also the immediate neighborhood. Asbestos-containing fragments and dust were thrown into the air and rained down on neighboring homes and properties. Immediately after the incident, specialist companies were mobilized to remove the dangerous remains.

The city administration has the situation under control, but seven residential buildings remain closed for the time being. A city spokesman said cleanup work is underway. The employees meticulously remove the layer of dust and dangerous particles. “We are doing everything we can to ensure that those affected can return to their homes as quickly as possible,” promised Volker Burgard, head of the Hammer Environment Department. But when the houses can be released again remains uncertain.

Evacuation and emergency shelter

The effects of the fire are serious: 24 residents, including four children, have already had to spend the night in hotels or with friends. The State Environment Agency (Lanuv) is monitoring the situation and is planning further measurements in the affected homes. The cooling tower, which until this incident stood on the site of the former Heinrich Robert colliery, was badly damaged by the fire. This area is now used as a “creative area” and is an important cultural attraction in the region.

The mine operator RAG has set up a service telephone to receive reports of possible damage. The situation remains tense and residents are concerned about developments in their neighborhood. Cleanup efforts have begun, but uncertainty remains as the city does everything it can to return to normality as quickly as possible.