Brand of the Buchberghütte: The cause remains unclear, but no external negligence

Brand of the Buchberghütte: The cause remains unclear, but no external negligence

In the region around St. Gilgen in Flachgau, a devastating fire put the Buchberghütte on the Eisenaualm in rubble and ash. The incident occurred on Thursday when the fire was noticed at around 8:30 a.m. Despite the quick intervention of seven fire brigades from Salzburg and Upper Austria, the hut was no longer to be saved.

The State Criminal Police Office announced in an initial assessment that the stove of the fire can no longer be determined. However, external fault is excluded, which means that there is no evidence of intentional arson.

The extinguishing concept and the challenges

The fire -fighting forces had to deal with considerable challenges. Due to the lack of water on the Eisenaualm, tankers had to be used that continuously transported water. In addition, two police helicopters were mobilized to get extinguishing water from the Attersee. These measures show the commitment of the emergency services and the urgency of the situation, but the complete destruction of the hut could not be prevented. The search for embers dragged on to the afternoon and required the full concentration of the emergency services.

The Buchberghütte was a preferred destination for hikers and e-bikers and contributed to the tourist attraction of the area. The loss therefore not only has an emotional value, but also economic effects on the region.

The exact causes of the fire remain unclear, and no further information is available so far. The investigators' efforts continue to bring more light into the dark. As from the latest information from salzburg.orf.at , the exact cause of the fire could never be determined. In the meantime, the prerequisites are created to examine the reconstruction and continuation of tourist activities in the region.