Grease fire in the restaurant: Three injured and quick evacuation in Hof!

Grease fire in the restaurant: Three injured and quick evacuation in Hof!

On April 23, 2025, around 10:15 p.m., a grease fire broke out in a restaurant on Luitpoldstrasse, Hof. Several emergency calls alerted the emergency services after the fire broke out in the kitchen of the restaurant, the Butler's Restaurant. The fire department was immediately alerted to prevent the fire from spreading, which was caused by overheating of fats or oils, which led to extremely heavy smoke that spread through the ventilation system in the building. There were around 70 guests in the restaurant at the time.

The guests left the building independently, while around 15 residents from the apartments above were evacuated as a precaution. A man working in the kitchen suffered minor burns while trying to put out the fire himself. He was treated as an outpatient. Two guests were taken to a nearby hospital with suspected smoke inhalation. Fortunately, the remaining guests and those living on the upper floors were uninjured.

Emergency services and damage

A large contingent of firefighters, rescue services and police were called in to quickly bring the situation under control. The emergency services were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building. The damage was limited exclusively to the restaurant's kitchen with an estimated damage cost of around 50,000 euros. After the measures were completed, the evacuees were able to return to their homes.

Kitchen fires like this are common, often caused by human error, and are often perceived as a low risk. The IFS highlights that more than half of all fires in and around buildings are caused by electricity and careless behavior. Especially in kitchens, it is important to be careful when handling flammable materials and cooking appliances in order to avoid accidents.

The quick action of the fire brigade and rescue services was able to prevent anything worse from happening, but the incident remains a stark reminder of the dangers that exist in the everyday use of kitchens.