Fire in the Kleinwalsertal: Wellness area in flames - guests evacuated!

Fire in the Kleinwalsertal: Wellness area in flames - guests evacuated!

Kleinwalsertal, Österreich - On May 30, 2025, a fire occurred in the Kleinwalsertal, Vorarlberg, in the wellness area of ​​a hotel. The incident occurred around 1:15 p.m., while hotel owners and employees held a meeting. Suddenly a loud bang from the wellness area sounded, which alerted those present. During a reference, they discovered thick, black smoke that escaped to the wellness area when opening the front door. The hotel's fire alarm made the alarm, whereupon all employees and six guests immediately evacuated the building. The emergency call was discontinued and three valley fire brigades were alerted to the site.

The fire brigade was faced with strong smoke development when it arrived, so that entering the wellness area without respiratory protection was not possible. A quick extinguishing rate ensured that no people were in the blocked wellness area. The fire stove was found on a power distribution box in the swimming pool area, from which flames from the rear wall. Thanks to the rapid reaction of the emergency services, it was possible to prevent the flames from spreading to the rest of the building. At 2 p.m. "fire" could be given.

Investigations and damage

The property damage is significant, especially in the area of ​​the swimming pool and the sauna facilities, caused by fire and flue gases. Fortunately, no injuries were reported. A total of around 80 emergency services from the three Tal fire brigades, the Red Cross Kleinwalsertal and the Kleinwalsertal police inspection were deployed. Investigations on the exact cause of the fire are currently underway to identify and clarify possible security deficiencies, which has led to this incident.

In the course of the discussion about fire security in hotels, this incident is reminded, especially against the background of a devastating fire, which recently took place in the ski hotel "Grand Kartal" in the northwest of Turkey. There was a tragic accident on January 22, 2025 with over 70 deaths. Nine people were arrested, including the hotel owner, and the investigation focuses on possible defects in the fire protection measures. This raises questions that are important for other hotels and their security standards after the Kleinwalsertal.

The eyewitness reports on the fire in the Turkish hotel reported a lack of fire alarm and the absence of fire extinguishers. Guests had to search for escape routes in darkness and smoke. In contrast, the fire in the wellness area in the Kleinwalsertal was largely brought under control by the immediate evacuation and the fast intervention of the fire brigade, which hopefully preventing similar tragedies.

For more information about the incident in the Kleinwalsertal, click here: vorarlberg.orf.at . For detailed reports about the fire in Turkey, please visit: Tageschau.de .