Cellar fire in Bliesen: Fire brigade rescues without any injuries!

Cellar fire in Bliesen: Fire brigade rescues without any injuries!

On June 15, 2025, the Bliesen fire department was called to a basement apartment after a smoke alarm went off. The first emergency services immediately noticed the smell of fire and began to open the entrance door to search for people and fight the fire. The emergency services searched the apartment using respiratory protection, but were unable to find anyone. The source of the fire was in the kitchen, where burnt food was the cause of the smoke. Luckily there were no injuries.

In order to quickly clear the apartment of smoke, the firefighters used a high-pressure fan. The entire operation lasted around an hour and was supported by several units, including the firefighting districts of Bliesen, Winterbach, Kernstadt, Mittleres Ostertal (ELW), the rescue service, the DRK OV St. Wendel and the police. This incident highlights the importance of functioning smoke alarms and emergency services responding quickly to identify and combat potential dangers in a timely manner. Saarbrücker Zeitung reports that...

Background information on false alarms

The incident in Bliesen also sheds light on the legal aspects of fire alarms, especially when they are triggered by burnt food. A similar case occurred in a senior center in Bad Kreuznach. The fire department was also alerted there because of a false alarm because a fire alarm went off due to smoke. The operator was charged high costs for the operations, which led to a lengthy legal dispute. The Koblenz Administrative Court ultimately decided that the cost assessments were declared unlawful because there was no false alarm and the fire brigade was right to intervene. Fire Department UB explains that...

This case highlights the importance of distinguishing between necessary operations and false alarms. The court-enforced decision shows that the costs for operations that take place in real dangerous situations cannot be flat-rateized. The cost recovery principle requires that fees reflect actual expenses.

Overall, the operation in Bliesen demonstrates the indispensable role of the fire department as well as the challenges that arise from false alarms, especially with regard to legal and financial aspects. Such incidents are not only a safety issue, but also raise questions about the associated costs. It is hoped that by raising public awareness these problems can be minimized in the future.