Highfield Festival: Ferris wheel returns one year after Brand!

Highfield Festival: Ferris wheel returns one year after Brand!

Preparations for this year's Highfield Festival in Großpösna near Leipzig are in full swing. The organizer plans to offer a ride of this type again a year after the devastating fire on the Ferris wheel. This fire occurred on August 17, 2024 and resulted in an alarming number of injuries. According to lvz.de, over 60 people needed acute care, with at least four people suffering from serious burn injuries being operated on. The accident began when the fire broke out in the initially unoccupied gondola of a Ferris wheel and quickly spread to a second gondola.

Images and videos from the event captured shocked onlookers, while fire and medical teams were already stationed around the festival site around the clock. Professional cooperation between the fire brigade, police and the organizer FKP Scorpio is positively emphasized by the authorities. Security forces cordoned off the area around the Ferris wheel and opened emergency exits to bring evacuated visitors to safety.

Investigations and legal action

The investigations by the Leipzig public prosecutor's office have not yet been completed. There are currently two proceedings against unknown persons for negligent bodily harm and negligent arson. According to t-online.de, the police have already carried out more than 178 interviews as part of the investigation, and the number of people harmed has been corrected from 75 to 65 after new findings from the interviews became available. Of these 65 people affected, 20 suffered smoke poisoning as well as other physical and psychological impairments.

The causes of the fire are still unclear, but according to statistics from the Institute for Loss Prevention and Research, electrical faults are common causes of fires. They often result from insulation damage or technical malfunctions that can lead to high temperatures. [Schadenprisma.de](https://www. Schadenprisma.de/archiv/artikel/electric-brandursachen-im-wandel-der-zeit/) shows that electrical fires account for a significant proportion of reported damage and that the increased complexity of electrical installations can also pose a risk.

Outlook for the 2025 festival

Despite last year's tragedy, preparations for the upcoming Highfield festival are optimistic. The organizer expects around 30,000 visitors and plans to offer the Ferris wheel again, but this time not with the previous operator. The security concepts have been revised and the organizer is determined not to repeat the incidents from last year. Around 100 people have been contacted to express regret and offer assistance, showing that the safety and well-being of guests will be a top priority.

The events surrounding the Highfield Festival have reignited discussions about safety and fire safety in the events industry. Visitors and those responsible hope that such incidents can be avoided in the future, and we hope that the upcoming festival will be a carefree pleasure for everyone.