On Thursday evening, a smoldering fire at a movie theater in Mainz’s Old Town led to a roughly 1.5-hour interruption in theater operations. No one was injured.

The fire department was alerted by the fire alarm system after smoke was detected in an enclosed room of the movie theater. To safely clear the affected areas of smoke, emergency responders used a special ventilation device. The movie theater remained closed to visitors during the operation.

In addition to the professional fire department, emergency medical services and the police were also on the scene. After the smoke had been completely cleared and the premises inspected, the cinema was able to resume regular operations.

The fire department would like to thank the movie theater patrons and staff for their calm behavior, as well as all emergency responders for their smooth cooperation.

The Mainz Fire Department is currently on the scene.

Incident: Extensive fire in a single-family home

Location: Riedweg, Mainz-Laubenheim

Injuries: None so far

Additional information: Firefighting operations are currently underway

Press spokesperson on site: No

On Saturday afternoon, March 1, 2025, at approximately 3:14 p.m., a fire broke out in a single-family home in Mainz-Laubenheim. When the first responders arrived, several windows on the ground floor had already shattered, and flames several meters high were shooting out. The Mainz-Laubenheim Volunteer Fire Department immediately prepared to extinguish the fire inside the building. At the same time, they began fighting the fire from the outside using the rapid intervention system. Fighting the fire inside proved difficult because it had already spread throughout the entire ground floor. Several crews had to be deployed to combat the fire.

As the operation progressed, it was determined that the wooden staircase had burned and the fire had spread through the wooden ceilings to the attic. Since it was clear early on that no one was left inside the building, further firefighting efforts were continued from the outside to avoid endangering the emergency personnel due to a potential risk of collapse. The turntable ladder and several fire hoses were used to fight the fire from the outside. To effectively combat the fire, the roof of the building had to be laboriously opened as the operation progressed. The fire was prevented from spreading to neighboring buildings.

Currently, a fire watch is being maintained by the professional fire department, the Mainz-Hechtsheim Volunteer Fire Department, and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief.

No information can currently be provided regarding the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage. No one was injured during the operation.

The operation involved the professional fire department, the Mainz-Laubenheim and Mainz-Hechtsheim volunteer fire departments, the emergency medical services, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, the police, the criminal investigation unit, and Mainzer Netze, with more than 60 personnel on the scene.

The Rose Monday parade is winding its way through Mainz under perfect weather conditions. Around 480 firefighters and emergency medical personnel have been on duty since this morning and are handling significantly more calls than last year.

By 2 p.m., emergency responders had treated 60 people. In addition to alcohol-related incidents, they also had to treat people who had twisted their ankles and a suspected heart attack. A three-year-old boy required medical attention after choking on a piece of candy. He was taken to the hospital for further examination. Two other children were struck by a barrier that had been knocked over by a float in the Rose Monday parade. Both were examined by emergency responders but, fortunately, suffered no injuries.

Overall, the people of Mainz are celebrating in a lively, peaceful, and cheerful atmosphere. So far on Rose Monday, the fire department has only had to handle routine calls: an emergency door opening following a medical emergency, as well as two alarms triggered by fire alarm systems, which turned out to be false alarms.

Fire and rescue services and emergency medical services look back on their largest joint operation of the year in Mainz. For over 12 hours, nearly 500 volunteer and full-time responders, alongside police and law enforcement officers, worked to ensure the safety of Mainz residents. The number of medical treatments provided increased compared to the previous year.

As in 2024, a total of 390 people had to be treated at the first-aid stations of ASB, DLRG, DRK, Johanniter, and Malteser by 11 p.m. (2024: 320). Among them were over 20 minors who required treatment due to alcohol consumption. Three 14-year-olds in particular stand out here, all of whom independently became patients of the emergency services due to alcohol-related issues. All minors were handed over to their legal guardians or law enforcement authorities.

In addition to alcohol-related blackouts, numerous surgical cases resulting from broken glass, altercations, and falls also required treatment. Internal medical issues, including heart attacks, were treated and, where necessary, patients were transported to the hospital (53 hospital transports). From catheter changes to febrile infections, the full range of the emergency responders’ medical expertise was called upon. Fortunately, no one sustained life-threatening injuries.

The fire department, which was on standby with reinforced personnel along the train route, also had to respond to 12 calls between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. In addition to minor incidents and false alarms, they had to handle technical rescue operations and fire reports in buildings. At 7:10 p.m., a man had to be rescued from an apartment on Wallaustraße that was filled with smoke from burnt food. He suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation but refused transport to the hospital.

The operations were coordinated by a control center set up specifically for Rosenmontag and a command staff. In close coordination with the police and event management, security measures and the dissemination of information to all emergency personnel were also coordinated following the terrible news from Mannheim. On the part of the fire department and medical services, no further measures had to be taken within the framework of the existing security plan.

It is also encouraging that, once again, there were no targeted attacks on emergency responders. On the contrary, numerous visitors personally expressed their gratitude to the emergency personnel, allowing everyone to celebrate together in a festive atmosphere.

On Thursday evening, a smoldering fire at a movie theater in Mainz’s Old Town led to a roughly 1.5-hour interruption in theater operations. No one was injured.

The fire department was alerted by the fire alarm system after smoke was detected in an enclosed room of the movie theater. To safely clear the affected areas of smoke, emergency responders used a special ventilation device. The movie theater remained closed to visitors during the operation.

In addition to the professional fire department, emergency medical services and the police were also on the scene. After the smoke had been completely cleared and the premises inspected, the cinema was able to resume regular operations.

The fire department would like to thank the movie theater patrons and staff for their calm behavior, as well as all emergency responders for their smooth cooperation.

This evening, around 6:40 p.m., the Mainz Fire Department was called to a fire at a supermarket in the Mainz-Gonsenheim neighborhood. A fire broke out in the electrical distribution panel in the supermarket’s storage area. Store employees noticed the fire, immediately called 911, evacuated the supermarket, and attempted to extinguish the fire with a powder extinguisher, but were unable to do so.

When the fire department arrived, the supermarket had already been completely evacuated, and the employees briefed the emergency responders on the situation. A team wearing heavy-duty breathing apparatus was quickly sent into the supermarket to fight the fire. Initially, the fire department attempted to extinguish the fire with CO². However, due to the now very high temperature inside the electrical control cabinet, this was unsuccessful, so a C-hose was eventually deployed and the fire was fought with water. At the same time, the supermarket was mechanically ventilated.

The fire department commends the employees’ prudent actions but would like to point out that personal safety must always be prioritized when attempting to extinguish a fire on one’s own. Especially in fires involving plastics, toxic smoke is produced, against which laypeople cannot adequately protect themselves.

Property damage in the supermarket is estimated to be in the six-figure range.

The Mainz Professional Fire Department was on the scene with 16 personnel, the police with three personnel, the emergency medical services with two personnel, and the City of Mainz Public Order Office with two personnel. The operation was successfully concluded after approximately one and a half hours.

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, a joint warning day will take place in Rhineland-Palatinate, Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Hesse. In Mainz as well, sirens and warning messages will be activated on this day to test the warning systems and raise public awareness in case of an emergency.

Schedule:

10:00 a.m.: Warning – Sirens in Mainz will be activated. A warning message will also be issued via the Modular Warning System (MoWaS), affiliated radio and television stations, and warning apps such as NINA. A warning message will also be sent directly to smartphones via cell broadcast—no app is required for this.

10:45 a.m.: All clear

New: The siren network in Mainz has been expanded and modernized in recent years to enable more comprehensive warning coverage. This is intended to ensure that warning signals can be reliably heard in as many neighborhoods as possible. Why Warning Day is important

“Warning Day is a valuable opportunity to raise awareness of warning signals and test the warning systems,” says Stefan Behrendt, Fire and Disaster Protection Inspector for the City of Mainz. “A well-functioning mix of warning methods is essential to reach as many people as possible. In addition to sirens, we rely on cell broadcast, warning apps, radio and TV announcements, and digital platforms. The broader the range of warning options, the more secure the system. We urge the public to familiarize themselves with the various warning methods and to check whether they will be reliably warned in an emergency."

Important note:

The emergency numbers 110 and 112 should not be used to inquire about the warning signals—these lines must remain free for genuine emergencies. Information is available through official channels such as radio, television, and warning apps.

Preparing for an emergency:

Anyone who does not receive a warning via cell broadcast should check their smartphone settings. Emergency notifications can be enabled in the device settings.

A functional mix of warning methods is crucial for reaching as many people as possible. This includes sirens, cell broadcast, warning apps, radio and TV stations, and digital information channels. The more diverse the warning methods used, the more secure the entire system is.

More information on siren warnings, the warning tones, and further details can be found on the City of Mainz’s dedicated webpage: https://www.mainz.de/verwaltung-und-politik/buergerservice-online/aktuell-jaehrliche-sirenenprobe.php and at the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance: www.warnung-der-bevoelkerung.de

At around 4:00 p.m. today, a rear-end collision occurred on the A60 highway in the direction of Darmstadt, in which a small van rear-ended a truck. The Mainz Fire Department, along with the police and emergency medical services, was dispatched to the area near the Hechtsheim-West interchange.

The driver of the small van was initially unable to exit the vehicle. However, with the help of emergency medical services and the fire department, it was then possible to get him out of the vehicle and rescue him. The driver was handed over to emergency medical services for further examination. The truck driver was uninjured.

In addition to freeing the driver, the professional and volunteer fire departments secured the accident scene against oncoming traffic. Due to the closure of the two right lanes, traffic backed up at times. At the time of the accident, an empty tow truck was in front of the truck. Thanks to this fortunate circumstance, the accident scene could be cleared promptly, and the lanes were gradually reopened by the highway police.

The rescue and safety measures took approximately 60 minutes. The Mainz Fire Department was on site with 16 members of the professional fire department and 9 volunteer firefighters from the Hechtsheim Volunteer Fire Department. Police and emergency medical services were at the scene with a total of 5 personnel.

The Mainz Fire Department was called to a traffic accident involving a bus and a streetcar near the main train station on Tuesday afternoon at approximately 5:05 p.m. At the time of the initial report, it was unclear how many people were involved, prompting the Mainz control center to immediately dispatch an increased number of firefighters and emergency medical personnel.

Upon arrival at the scene, all individuals had already exited the two vehicles involved in the accident. An estimated 40 people affected were still in the immediate vicinity. These individuals were attended to by the first responders from the fire department and emergency medical services. Fortunately, no passengers were seriously injured in the accident and were able to leave the scene on their own. An exact number of people affected could not be determined in the end; in addition to bystanders in the vicinity, some had already left the scene on their own.

After receiving treatment from emergency medical services, the driver of the public bus was transported to a hospital in Mainz with minor injuries.

The Mainz Fire Department deployed a total of 21 professional firefighters. The volunteer fire departments and medical emergency response teams that had been alerted were able to cancel their response. The fire department’s efforts were supported by police personnel and the emergency management team of Mainzer Mobilität. The operation was concluded after approximately 35 minutes.

The Mainz Fire Department has been on the scene since around 4:00 p.m. to assist the Lower Rhine Water Authority. A clearly visible streak of contamination, of unknown length, was drifting down the Rhine from the direction of Ludwigshafen, prompting numerous emergency calls.

The fire department took samples of the liquid, which showed no signs of mineral oil products when tested with the measuring devices available on site. Nevertheless, contamination posing a risk to water and the environment cannot currently be ruled out. Since the contamination was pushed into the Winterhafen by the inflow of the Main River, the harbor is now being protected against further entry by oil booms deployed by the fire department. According to the current assessment by the Lower Water Authority, the other ports near Mainz do not require additional protection.

The situation continues to be monitored by the responsible agency so that further measures can be taken by the fire department if necessary. The public does not need to report any further indications of contamination on or in the Rhine via emergency calls. In addition, the Mainz Fire Department is in close contact with its neighboring colleagues in Wiesbaden, who have similarly protected the Schierstein Harbor.

The fire department currently has six personnel and three vehicles on the scene. It is not yet clear how long the operation will last. The fire department has no further information regarding the cause or origin of the contamination. The Lower Water Authority is responsible for Mainz.

On March 23, 2025, the city of Mainz will hand over four state-of-the-art emergency ambulances to the aid organizations ASB, DRK, Malteser, and Johanniter.

The vehicles, with a total value of 840,000 euros, are equipped with high-quality emergency medical equipment and will improve the city’s disaster response capabilities.

In addition, eight emergency power kits worth 100,000 euros will be presented. Alongside Mayor Nino Haase, Interior Minister Michael Ebling, Fire and Disaster Protection Inspector for the City of Mainz Stefan Behrendt, and Bishop Dr. Peter Kohlgraf will also be in attendance.

The handover will take place at 4 p.m. at Liebfrauenplatz in Mainz. Where: Liebfrauenplatz, in the shadow of the cathedral, 55116 Mainz When: March 23, 2025, 4 p.m.

On Wednesday evening, an incident occurred on the railway line between Mainz-Mombach and Mainz Central Station that required the evacuation of approximately 130 passengers from a regional express train. At around 10:00 p.m., the Mainz Fire Department was notified by Deutsche Bahn that an overhead wire had come down.

After emergency personnel arrived, the track was grounded and the situation on site was deemed safe. The Mainz Fire Department deployed a rescue platform to safely evacuate the passengers from the train. The evacuation proceeded smoothly, and the passengers were subsequently picked up on the street about 200 meters away by four buses provided by DB.

Due to the incident, train service on the affected section of track must be suspended until further notice. The evacuation also led to a temporary road closure in the Zwerchallee area to ensure the safety of emergency personnel and passengers.

In addition to the professional fire department, the Mombach Volunteer Fire Department, emergency medical services, and the Federal Police were on the scene to manage the situation and ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Early on Friday evening, March 21, 2025, a resident reported a room fire at a property on Am Sportfeld in Mainz-Gonsenheim to the fire department. One person was believed to still be inside the apartment. The dispatch center then alerted personnel from both fire stations, as well as emergency medical services and the police. A distinct smell of smoke was noticeable on the second floor of the building, and a smoke alarm was clearly audible. The fire department immediately dispatched a team wearing self-contained breathing apparatus to the apartment to rescue the person and fight the fire. After the door was forced open, a woman was found inside the apartment and handed over to the waiting emergency medical services. She was transported to a hospital in Mainz for further treatment. The smoke was caused by food that had burned severely, which was extinguished by the fire department. The heavily smoke-filled apartment was ventilated using a positive pressure ventilation unit operated by the fire department. Note: It was only because of the beeping smoke detector in the apartment that the caller became aware of the situation and called the fire department. Nineteen firefighters were on the scene. The police were represented by four officers and the emergency medical services by two personnel at the scene.

A fire broke out at 3:00 a.m. at a store in the Old Town. The Mainz Fire Department responded with 23 personnel from both the professional and volunteer fire departments. The fire was quickly extinguished, and the building was ventilated. No one was injured. Police and emergency medical services were also on the scene.

The state capital of Mainz has taken a significant step toward improving medical disaster response. In a ceremonial handover, four state-of-the-art emergency ambulances (NKTW) were presented to the aid organizations—ASB, DRK, MHD, and JUH. These vehicles are fully equipped with high-quality emergency medical equipment and can effectively treat even seriously injured patients. This includes, among other things, ventilators and ECG machines, which ensure rapid and professional treatment in an emergency.

With a total value of 850,000 euros (212,500 euros per vehicle), the emergency ambulances are an essential component of disaster response in Mainz. The state capital of Mainz, together with the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, has championed the acquisition of these vehicles. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is contributing approximately 310,000 euros toward the procurement.

"With the handover of these vehicles, we are setting another important milestone in strengthening our disaster response. We are aware of our responsibility to prepare Mainz optimally for emergencies and are therefore continuing to invest specifically in the infrastructure of medical disaster response," says Mayor Nino Haase. "By 2028, a total of six million euros will be invested in the expansion of medical disaster response."

"Disaster response thrives on cooperation: In Rhineland-Palatinate, the state, municipalities, and aid organizations work hand in hand to save lives together. The purchase of such emergency ambulances is therefore also funded by the state. In this way, we are jointly strengthening emergency care in and around Mainz and taking another important step in the reorganization of disaster response in Rhineland-Palatinate so that we can be even better prepared for emergencies together," said Interior Minister Michael Ebling.

In addition, eight emergency power sets with a total value of 100,000 euros were handed over. These consist of 13 kVA generators, lighting, and heating systems and will be deployed at eight locations of the disaster response units in Mainz. They ensure the continued operational functioning of the shelters in the event of power outages.

Medical disaster response in Mainz is a city responsibility supported by state funding. Until now, aid organizations have provided not only the necessary personnel but also the technical equipment—often from used or decommissioned vehicles and devices. This often inconsistent equipment made centralized coordination difficult in the event of a major disaster. In the future, the equipment and vehicles are to be designed in accordance with legal requirements and feature a uniform design, modeled after the city’s fire and disaster response services, to ensure efficient and coordinated assistance.

“With the procurement of these vehicles and equipment, we are taking a decisive step in the right direction. We can ensure that everything runs smoothly in an emergency and that we are optimally equipped with state-of-the-art technology,” says Mayor Nino Haase.

As part of a comprehensive needs analysis conducted in recent years, it was determined that a total investment of 6 million euros will be required by 2028 to equip Mainz with all necessary vehicles and equipment for medical disaster response.

"The aid organizations make an indispensable contribution to our disaster response. They not only bring their valuable experience and expertise to the table, but also provide around 300 volunteer responders as well as full-time staff who can react quickly and professionally in an emergency," emphasizes Mayor Nino Haase.

As part of the 6-million-euro plan, an additional 25 vehicles and trailers for medical disaster response are planned by 2028. The vehicles and emergency power kits handed over today thus represent only the beginning of a comprehensive investment in the future of disaster response in Mainz.

On Monday, March 24, 2025, Mainz Mayor Nino Haase and Holger Hagen, head of the Mainz Fire Department, presented the donation check from the traditional "Abschwimmen" event to the board of "Verein Frühstart e.V.".

On December 31, 2024, the Mainz Fire Department held its 51st annual traditional winter swim, during which approximately 200 brave swimmers from across the Rhine-Main region braved the 13-degree-Celsius waters of the Rhine. As part of the event, proceeds from the fundraising campaign, held under the motto “The Mainz Fire Department Swims to Help,” were collected for a good cause. This year, the “Frühstart e.V.” association received a generous donation of 4,000 euros.

“The traditional end-of-season swim is not just a sporting event, but above all an opportunity to show solidarity,” says Mayor Nino Haase. "Support for premature and sick newborns is of great importance, and we are delighted that the Mainz Fire Department can make a valuable contribution through its commitment. Around 10 percent of children are born prematurely, which is why we have also agreed today on close cooperation with the City of Mainz, for example with special welcome packages for premature babies."

"We are deeply grateful to have been selected as the beneficiary of the Rhine swim and to be supported with such a generous donation. The appreciation shown for our work through this donation lets us know that the importance of this issue is recognized and that we will be able to realize many more projects and services for our youngest patients, their parents, and their families in the future," says Isabel Pardal Gonzalez, Chairwoman of the "Frühstart e.V." association.

Founded in 1993, the nonprofit association advocates for premature babies, sick newborns, and at-risk infants. Together, they aim to improve care for children in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the associated follow-up care facilities at the Children’s Hospital of Mainz University Medical Center through various initiatives.

Following the check presentation, Mayor Nino Haase visited the neonatal intensive care unit at Mainz University Medical Center to see firsthand the valuable work being done for the young patients.

On Wednesday, the Mainz Fire Department was kept busy with several incidents, some of which occurred simultaneously. At times, additional vehicles from the professional fire department were called into service.

Shortly before 11 a.m., the Mainz Fire Department was called to the first major incident of the day. In the Mombach district, a traffic accident occurred between two vehicles with alternative drive systems, which also required the response of emergency medical services and the police. Two people were injured, and one of them was transported to a nearby hospital. The fire department assisted the emergency medical services and secured the vehicles involved in the accident.

After a quiet midday, the fire department, emergency medical services, and police were called to several incident sites throughout the city starting at 2 p.m.

Two traffic incidents occurred in the Hechtsheim district. In the first incident, two cars collided, injuring a total of three people, one of whom was seriously injured. In addition to ground-based emergency vehicles, a rescue helicopter was also deployed. The seriously injured person was extricated from the car by the fire department using technical rescue equipment. All individuals were transported to hospitals.

The second incident turned out to be a single-vehicle accident in which a car crashed into a building wall, presumably due to a medical emergency involving the driver. The fire department assisted the emergency medical services but did not need to take further action.

Concurrently with the two traffic accidents, a fire broke out in an expansion joint on the terrace of the first floor of a residential and commercial building in the Mombach district around 3:00 p.m., which the fire department quickly brought under control. This resulted in significant traffic disruptions on public transit routes. No one was injured in this incident. The fire was extinguished after just over an hour.

The emergency responders were received in an exemplary manner by the person who reported the incident. This individual could be seen guiding them from a great distance, allowing the exact location of the incident to be quickly pinpointed. Such behavior greatly assists the fire department in fulfilling its duties and providing rapid assistance to those affected.

During the course of the operations, all on-duty personnel from the Mainz Professional Fire Department were deployed.

On Friday evening, a small plane made a hard landing at Mainz-Finthen Airport. The single-engine aircraft unexpectedly landed without its landing gear and skidded down the runway. Fortunately, the two occupants were unharmed. The fire department carefully lifted the plane enough to allow it to be recovered.

Around 6:30 p.m., the airport control tower requested assistance from the Mainz Fire Department. A small aircraft (Rockwell Commander 114) apparently experienced a technical malfunction during its approach and landed with its landing gear retracted without the pilot’s knowledge. As a result, the aircraft skidded down the runway and sustained significant damage. Fortunately, the aircraft remained on the runway and did not catch fire.

The two occupants were able to exit unharmed. However, the aircraft was blocking the runway. The Mainz Fire Department arrived with six vehicles and 24 personnel to provide assistance. The goal was to lift the approximately 1.4-ton aircraft about 80 cm without causing further damage so that the landing gear could be extended in emergency mode.

To do this, a fire department crane was positioned at the front of the aircraft, and large lifting bags were placed under the wings. To stabilize and secure the aircraft during the lifting process, it had to be supported with large quantities of wood. After the aircraft had been raised about 60 cm, lifting equipment operated by the airfield technicians was attached in place of the lifting bags.

After just under three hours, the landing gear could be extended and the aircraft lowered back onto its wheels as intended, allowing it to be towed off the runway. The extent of the property damage, as well as the exact cause, remains unclear. Thanks to the recovery, flight operations can proceed as usual this weekend.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, several motorists driving across the Schierstein Bridge reported seeing smoke rising from the allotment gardens in Mombacher Unterfeld, visible from a distance. As a result, a rescue fire engine from Fire Station 2 and a tanker fire engine from Fire Station 1 of the Mainz Professional Fire Department were dispatched. Upon the arrival of the first responders, it was determined that a large area of grassland was on fire, whereupon additional personnel from the professional fire department were called in. On site, a total area of approximately 1,500 m² was burning. Firefighting operations began from three sides using multiple fire hoses. To ensure a sufficient supply of water, a tanker fire engine from the Budenheim Fire Department was requested. The fire was extinguished using approximately 9,000 liters of water, and the entire area was thoroughly doused again to prevent the fire from reigniting. A final inspection using a thermal imaging camera revealed no remaining hot spots. After just over two hours, the operation on site was concluded.

A total of 17 personnel from the Mainz Professional Fire Department with 5 vehicles, 3 personnel from the Budenheim Fire Department with 1 vehicle, the police with up to 2 patrol cars at times, as well as 2 employees from the City of Mainz’s Parks and Environment Department were on site.