Family with 4 children

House completely burnt down: “The solidarity is great”

Huge effort by the fire department - but the house could not be saved.(Bild: BFV Murau)

The highest mountain farm in the Styrian municipality of St. Georgen am Kreischberg was engulfed by flames on New Year's Eve. The family with four children stayed with relatives and there is great solidarity in the community. Defective children's toys were probably the cause of the fire. 

"We are still on site and are keeping a fire watch," says Florian Lindschinger when the "Krone" reaches him on the afternoon of New Year's Day. The local fire department commander was the incident commander on New Year's Eve when the highest mountain farm in the municipality of St. Georgen am Kreischberg (Murau district) went up in flames.

The family with four children had guests when, at around 8.30 p.m., a troad box (old granary) and the carport with three cars caught fire. According to police investigations so far, a technical defect in a battery-operated, remote-controlled children's toy in the carport was probably the cause of the fire. A short time later, the fire spread to the roof of the residential building.

"When we arrived, it was already fully engulfed in flames," says Lindschinger. More than 100 firefighters, including some from neighboring fire departments, were in action until 6 am. When the extinguishing water ran out, a shuttle service had to be set up. At least the stable building could be saved at the remote property in the district of Lutzmannsdorf.

Everyone is shocked that the new year begins with such a drama. On a positive note, the fire department's efforts worked really well.

Bürgermeisterin Cäcilia Spreitzer

Bild: Gemeinde St. Georgen am Kreischberg

"The solidarity in the community is great"
The family stayed with relatives. "Everyone is very concerned, there is great solidarity in the community," reports Mayor Cäcilia Spreitzer. Wherever possible, help is to be given to those affected.