Fire erupted at Essen port's storeroom, but firefighters successfully contained the blaze
On the evening of August 12, 2025, a significant incident unfolded at the Stadtwerft in Essen as multiple callers reported a large smoke column visible in the harbor area around 20:40 hrs. The Essen Fire Department swiftly responded to the situation, dispatching two fire engines to the scene.
Upon arrival, it was confirmed that two overseas containers and a truck were on fire. To prevent the fire from spreading, an immediate containment line was established, and the threatened warehouse was ventilated using high-performance fans. The fire department's fireboat and a special water supply system were called in to help fight the blaze.
Approximately 70 firefighters from the Essen fire department were on site, working diligently to contain the fire. To ensure a sufficient water supply, a long-distance water supply was set up. The strong smoke from the fire spread in a northwesterly direction towards Bottrop and Oberhausen due to prevailing weather conditions.
To control the spread of the smoke, a drone was used to observe the situation and monitor the spread of the smoke. The public was kept informed about the situation via social media and later via the NINA warning app, with advice to keep windows and doors closed.
Despite the challenging circumstances, the fire department managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent warehouse. After several hours of effort, the open flames were finally brought under control around 01:00 hrs. Post-fire operations continued into the night to ensure that any remaining hotspots were extinguished.
It is worth noting that no health-endangering concentrations were detected during on-site monitoring. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the police.
During the operation, the vacant fire and rescue stations were staffed by units from the volunteer fire department to ensure continued coverage in the event of other emergencies. The incident serves as a reminder of the vital role that emergency services play in keeping our communities safe.
