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Major Fire in Labbeck: Straw Bale Blaze Contained, Asbestos Found

Firefighters battled a large straw bale fire in Labbeck, with asbestos in the roof complicating efforts. Despite this, the blaze was contained, and no one was injured.

In this image there is a fire in the firewood chimney.
In this image there is a fire in the firewood chimney.

Major Fire in Labbeck: Straw Bale Blaze Contained, Asbestos Found

A major fire incident occurred in Labbeck on Saturday, 06.09.2025, involving a straw bale fire in a covered barn. The State Office for Nature, Environment and Climate (LANUK NRW) was promptly called in to assess the situation and provide guidance to the incident command.

The blaze, which engulfed several hundred round bales over an area of approximately 15m x 60m, posed significant challenges. The roof covering of the hall, later confirmed to contain asbestos by LANUK, complicated firefighting efforts. Despite this, firefighters successfully contained the fire by midday, using water cannons not only to extinguish the flames but also to bind any potentially released asbestos fibers.

As a precaution, several playgrounds in the vicinity were temporarily closed by the local authority. Fortunately, no people were injured, and a neighboring poultry barn was protected from the fire. The incident site was handed back to the owner under specific conditions on Monday evening at 10:15 PM.

The straw bale fire in Labbeck resulted in a major incident, but thanks to the swift response and effective measures taken by the firefighters and LANUK, the situation was brought under control with no injuries reported and minimal damage to neighboring properties. The presence of asbestos in the roof served as a reminder of the potential hazards associated with such incidents and the importance of thorough assessment and containment procedures.

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