St. Michael

Fire department worked “efficiently” – bank locks up

Commander Markus Pfeifenberger is proud of his men. Despite the fire, the building remains habitable.(Bild: Roland Holitzky)

Just hours after the major fire in a staff house in the center of St. Michael, some residents were able to return to their homes. A Sparkasse branch is located on the first floor of the building - it will reopen its doors in a few days.

The damage is immense, with initial estimates putting it at just under 500,000 euros! And yet some residents were allowed back into their apartments in the center of St. Michael just hours after the fire. "We worked very efficiently and effectively," says local fire brigade commander Markus Pfeifenberger proudly. Early on Ash Wednesday, a fire broke out on the roof of the Hotel Eggerwirt staff house. It was probably caused by an electrical fault in a supply line to the gutter heating system.

Seven fire departments made their way to the scene of the fire with 96 men at around 5.30 am. "The flames could be seen for miles around," says Pfeifenberger. They were able to call "fire out" at around 10 o'clock. No one was injured - partly because a neighbor and a resident noticed the flames and raised the alarm. "They woke the others from their sleep and reacted brilliantly," emphasizes the fire department commander.

The savings bank will reopen on Friday or Monday(Bild: FF St. Michael)

There is a branch of the Sparkasse bank on the first floor of the building. The bank will remain closed until Friday or Monday.