Major operation in Tyrol

Barn in the village on fire: Gas cylinders exploded

The barn was on fire - thick smoke was rising.(Bild: ZOOM Tirol)

A fire alarm sounded late on Friday afternoon in Weißenbach am Lech in the Tyrolean Außerfern region: A fire broke out in a barn in the local area and spread rapidly - huge plumes of smoke were visible from afar. There were also two explosions. More than 80 firefighters battled the flames. A 62-year-old man had to be taken to hospital.

The fire broke out in the barn shortly before 5 pm. The 62-year-old had been inside at the time - he had been busy sealing the interior walls with foam. He had heated the interior of the barn with a gas stove.

Sudden flames on the floor
"When the man suddenly saw flames on the floor near the stove, he threw the stove outside. However, he was no longer able to bring the fire in the barn under control," the police said. The fire continued to spread and caused two stored gas cylinders to explode.

The fire was finally brought under control and extinguished by the emergency services. The barn, in which a tractor was parked and tools stored, was almost completely burnt out.

62-year-old taken to hospital by ambulance
The 62-year-old was taken to the district hospital in Reutte by ambulance. No other people were injured. The amount of material damage caused is still unclear, but is likely to be enormous.

More than 80 firefighters on site
The volunteer fire departments of Weißenbach am Lech, Lechaschau, Ehenbichl/Rieden, Höfen and Reutte were deployed with a total of 81 firefighters and twelve vehicles, as well as the ambulance service with two vehicles and a patrol from the Reutte police station.