Jena on a mission in Meuselwitz

The city of Jena is supporting the ongoing firefighting efforts at the major blaze in Meuselwitz in the Altenburger Land district. A fire has been burning on the site of a former coal mine since last weekend. Because the fire is also burning underground in old coal deposits and new pockets of embers keep forming, firefighting efforts are proving particularly difficult. There is currently no end in sight for the operation.

Since Tuesday, the City of Jena’s support unit—staffed by personnel from the Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB) and the German Red Cross (DRK)—has been assisting with the provision of supplies to the emergency responders on site. In addition, members of the Göschwitz Volunteer Fire Department are on the scene.

Since 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the water support unit from Jena has also been on duty in Meuselwitz. The unit is staffed by personnel from the Jena-Mitte, Lützeroda, and Wöllnitz volunteer fire departments. With their vehicles and equipment, they are supporting firefighting efforts and on-site operations.

“The operation in Meuselwitz demonstrates how important reliable cooperation between fire departments and aid organizations across city and district boundaries is. Conditions on site are challenging: The fire is smoldering in old coal residues in the ground and repeatedly giving rise to new pockets of embers. This makes firefighting efforts considerably more difficult and means they may take a longer time to complete. This makes it all the more important that we can make our emergency personnel available when support is requested. “I would like to thank the members of our volunteer fire departments, as well as the emergency response teams from the ASB and the DRK, for their dedication. With their experience and expertise, they are supporting the on-site teams and making a vital contribution to managing this emergency situation,” says Mayor and Head of Public Safety Benjamin Koppe.

It is currently unclear how long the firefighting efforts will continue. The city of Jena remains in close coordination with the emergency response teams involved and will continue to provide support as needed.

Rauch, verbrannter Boden und schwer zugängliches Gelände: Die Lage in Meuselwitz stellt die Einsatzkräfte weiterhin vor große Herausforderungen.

Einsatzkräfte sind von hinten zu sehen vor einer Brandfläche.

Einsatzkräfte aus Jena unterstützen die Löscharbeiten beim Großbrand in Meuselwitz. Der Brand auf einem ehemaligen Kohlebergbaugelände ist besonders anspruchsvoll, weil sich Glutnester im Boden halten können.

Fahrzeuge der Feuerwehr bei einem Brandgebiet.

Der Einsatzzug Wasser aus Jena ist seit Mittwochmorgen in Meuselwitz im Einsatz und unterstützt die Brandbekämpfung vor Ort.