LKA Vienna investigates

Resident in hospital after cellar fire at night

Residents of neighboring apartment blocks were also presented with a dramatic sight.(Bild: zVg)

17 vehicles from Vienna's professional fire department were deployed to Simmeringer Flammweg on Friday evening. An extensive fire had broken out in the basement of a high-rise apartment building. Twelve people had to be treated and a 16-year-old girl was taken to hospital.

It was shortly after 11 p.m. when residents of the large block of flats on the corner of Flammweg and Muhrhoferweg raised the alarm with the Vienna Fire Department - the smell of burning was in the air late at night! As this is a high-rise building, the Florianis immediately deployed 17 vehicles and 67 firefighters to the scene. 

Firefighters in front of the affected apartment block.(Bild: Stadt Wien/ Feuerwehr)

Adjacent apartments searched
Two extinguishing lines were laid on site to fight the fire. At the same time, fire department spokesperson Lukas Schauer told the "Krone" newspaper, the affected staircase and apartments in the surrounding staircases were searched using breathing apparatus.

Twelve residents treated
However, the majority of the residents had already fled outside. Twelve of them had to be treated, one 16-year-old was then taken to hospital with smoke inhalation. It is still unclear whether the fire was caused by arson. In any case, the Vienna State Office of Criminal Investigation began an investigation.