Building Explodes

Explosion in Lower Austria: Huge cloud of smoke

A huge cloud of smoke rose into the sky.(Bild: Krone-Collage/BFKDO Wiener Neustadt , „Krone“-Leserreporter)

On Thursday, the headquarters of a pyrotechnics company exploded in the municipality of Winzendorf in the Wiener Neustadt district of Lower Austria. According to information from “Krone,” more than 100 people had to evacuate the premises—one person was seriously injured.

The building in question is the headquarters of Astotec Pyrotechnic Solutions. A “Krone” reader reported hearing a “loud bang.” A huge, black cloud of smoke then rose into the sky. “There was a loud bang, followed by a fire at the pyrotechnics company,” said Richard Berger of the Wiener Neustadt District Fire Department.

One person seriously injured and rescued
“One person was rescued. The comprehensive response using aerial rescue equipment, multiple hoses from the outside combined with an interior attack by teams wearing self-contained breathing apparatus quickly took effect, and the fire was brought under control,” explains District Fire Chief Karl-Heinz Greiner. According to the Red Cross, the employee was seriously injured and, after receiving first aid, was flown to Vienna General Hospital (AKH) by the emergency medical helicopter “Christophorus 3.”

Thirteen fire departments with 28 vehicles and more than 100 firefighters from the volunteer fire departments in the Wiener Neustadt district were on the scene within a very short time. Preventive fire safety measures took effect immediately, as did the Winzendorf Fire Department’s emergency response plans, according to the Florianis.

Thirteen fire departments and more than 100 firefighters from the volunteer fire departments in the Wiener Neustadt district were on the scene within a very short time.(Bild: BFKDO Wiener Neustadt )

The company was completely evacuated. All employees were able to get to safety. About 100 people subsequently gathered at the school in Winzendorf. A crisis intervention team from the Red Cross was also on site.

A spokesperson for the company emphasized: “Our thoughts are with our employee. We thank all the emergency responders who quickly brought the fire under control.”

Due to the heavy smoke generated by the fire, the public is advised, as a precaution, to keep windows and doors closed, as it is currently unknown what substances are contained in the smoke. However, this is purely a precautionary measure. By 2:00 p.m., the fire was already sufficiently under control that only small pockets of embers remained to be extinguished. 

The cause of the explosion and the subsequent fire remains unclear. The Lower Austria State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation. In addition to the units specializing in arson and explosion crimes, the crime scene investigation team is also involved.

The scene is located not far from the Föhrenwald forest in St. Egyden am Steinfeld, which has already burned twice in recent weeks, placing a massive strain on emergency responders.