Enormous material damage

Boiler explosion tore a hole in the roof of a bakery

There is a large hole in the hall roof(Bild: Matthias Lauber/laumat.at)

A violent detonation shook the center of Hartkirchen on Wednesday afternoon. A boiler had exploded in the cellar of a large bakery. A huge hole suddenly appeared in the roof of the building. Six fire departments were called to the scene. Fortunately, no one was injured in the dangerous incident.

According to initial reports, the first fire department was called to the site around midday on suspicion of a fire. During maintenance work, an oil leak and minor deflagrations are believed to have occurred in the area of the boiler. 

The oil supply was then stopped and the boiler cooled down sufficiently for the all-clear to be given for the time being. But when the fire department had already moved back in, small flames were reportedly detected again.

Façade parts flew up to 50 meters away(Bild: Markus Schütz)

The emergency services were therefore alerted again. While the fire department was still on its way, shortly before 3 p.m. there was reportedly such a violent pressure wave in the basement of the company that a hole was torn out of the roof of the production hall. Some of the debris flew 50 meters. Damage was also caused to neighboring buildings.

The material damage is extensive(Bild: Markus Schütz)

Fortunately, no people were injured, as the building had apparently been evacuated five minutes before the explosion.

No trespassing
The fire department initially cordoned off part of the area for safety reasons, as there was a second identical boiler in the bakery. The statics of the hall also had to be checked.

Access to the affected company premises was also prohibited by the building authorities. The fire investigation team of the State Office of Criminal Investigation took over the investigation. A fire expert from the Upper Austrian Fire Prevention Agency was also called in.