Stable fire in Bresegard: 9,500 animals lost, police are investigating!

Stable fire in Bresegard: 9,500 animals lost, police are investigating!

In a tragic incident, a devastating fire broke out in the poultry house in Bresegard near Picher on Monday, killing around 9,500 animals. The police have started investigating the cause of the fire and a fire expert is already on site. It remains to be seen what the investigations will reveal, as definitive statements about the cause of the fire are not yet possible. There are currently also indications of possible connections with construction work on the stables. The nearby residents are skeptical about rumors of possible arson by militant animal rights activists and emphasize that the panicked chickens could not be saved, reports the Northern Courier.

This is exactly where fire protection comes into play. In this context, Building Minister Christian Pegel emphasized that fire protection in animal husbandry facilities is of central importance. In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a new guideline to improve fire protection in animal husbandry facilities is planned for 2024. This guideline should contain specifications for fire compartments, fire extinguishing water supply and accessibility for fire departments and animal rescue. The local fire brigades had already made regulations for fire protection, but the fire load of such systems is high, which significantly increases the danger.

Challenges in animal husbandry

The difficulties of rescuing animals during a fire are not new in agriculture. According to the Foundation for Animals in Law (TIR), several hundred animals die in Switzerland every year due to smoke inhalation or fires in stables. High numbers of animals are a particular challenge, especially in stable compartments that are difficult to access TIR determines. In many cases, fire protection measures are considered inadequate. The TIR is therefore calling for the Animal Welfare Ordinance to be supplemented with clear legal requirements to prevent fire and smoke damage.

Another aspect is the experience in treating injured animals after a fire. Professor Eva Zeiler from Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University points out that massive attacks on injured animals represent a particular challenge. When performing triage, veterinarians must consider numerous factors, with personal safety always being the top priority. Again BBV emphasizes, it is important that agricultural businesses regularly carry out exercises with the fire brigades in order to be optimally prepared for such emergencies. This is becoming increasingly important not only in terms of animal husbandry, but also to protect the people involved.