Huge fire in composting plant: Fire brigade fights against smoke!

Huge fire in composting plant: Fire brigade fights against smoke!

In the Oberhavel district, a fire in a composting plant in the Vehlefanz district caused a stir. On Wednesday morning, October 29, 2025, the fire department was alerted when heavy smoke was detected. The emergency services are on site and are fighting the flames. There is currently an official warning that calls on the population to keep windows and doors closed and to switch off ventilation and air conditioning. Fortunately, there is currently no danger to the residents, but it remains unclear how long the operation will last and what the cause of the fire was, as maz-online.de reports.

Fire departments are often called upon to respond to such fires. A similar incident occurred on June 21, 2025 in Aschbach, where a large compost pile belonging to a composting company burst into flames. Alert level B2 was also triggered there and the Ulmerfeld – Hausmening fire department was called to the fire outside. The compost burned intensely and glowed deep inside. To combat the fire pockets, a wheel loader was used to dismantle the pile. Firefighters applied foam to the fire from above, while a respiratory protection team worked from the ground, as ff-ulmerfeld.at describes.

Use and technology

The fire department often has to deal with major challenges when dealing with these types of fires. Using drones to transmit temperature data has proven useful for keeping track and taking targeted action. In the case of the Oberhavel fire, it remains to be seen what technical aids will be used and how the flames will be fought. Experience from similar missions shows that such missions can take several hours.

The situation in Vehlefanz makes it clear how quickly dangerous fires can occur in a composting plant. The village community is now called upon to adhere to the warnings and remain vigilant. The fire brigade always has everything under control to prevent anything worse from happening, but the environmental aspect of these fires should not be underestimated either. Such incidents not only result in a high level of operational effort, but can also have a negative impact on air quality.

The fire in Oberhavel shows once again that the risk of fire is latent even in inconspicuous places such as composting facilities. It becomes clear again and again that it is worth having a good knack for fire prevention and regularly taking the necessary precautions.