Strasbourg (dpa / lsw) – A major fire in a sawmill on the French side of the Rhine kept the fire brigade in suspense on Monday. The broadcaster Franceinfo reported that 210 firefighters with 95 vehicles were deployed to fight the fire in the municipality of Mothern, which had not been brought under control by midday.
A plume of dark smoke, visible more than 30 kilometers away, rose. A large stack of pallets caught fire. According to the report, the French emergency services in the place just ten kilometers from Rastatt as the crow flies were supported by German colleagues. Six firefighters were slightly injured. The cause of the fire was still unknown.
Three hectares of forest also caught fire. The fire brigade sprayed the surrounding houses to protect them from the flames. An eyewitness told the broadcaster that it was lucky that there was a southerly wind, otherwise the situation would have become even more precarious for the residents. Several houses were struck by the flames, some shutters melted. “We’ve been concerned about the sawmill for years. It shouldn’t be there, directly across from the apartment buildings. That’s not normal,” said a neighbor.
