At 5:30 a.m. on Friday morning, the fire department received a report of a major power outage in Mainz Bretzenheim, Hechtsheim, and Ebersheim. Almost at the same time, a person contacted the department after becoming stuck in an elevator due to the power outage in Bretzenheim and had to be rescued by the fire department.

The power company was able to restore power in Bretzenheim shortly thereafter. Since the power outage lasted longer in parts of Hechtsheim and Ebersheim, the volunteer fire departments there were alerted. They assessed the extent of the power outage in those neighborhoods and stood ready to assist residents in emergencies.

The control center informed the public via warning apps about the power outage and the fire stations on standby. At 6:41 a.m., the utility company announced that power had been almost completely restored, allowing the warning to be withdrawn and the volunteer fire departments to stand down.

During the power outage, there were no fire department callouts other than the incident involving people stuck in an elevator. The fire department has no detailed information regarding the cause of the power outage.

On Friday afternoon, the Mainz Fire Department rescued an injured swan in Mainz-Laubenheim. The swan had flown into a power pole shortly before.

A biotope maintenance team witnessed the swan’s accident and reported the injured animal to the fire department near Riedweg. A total of 10 firefighters captured the swan using nets. A fire department emergency response vehicle transported the animal to a veterinarian for further treatment—where the swan required emergency surgery.

In addition to the professional fire department, the Mainz-Laubenheim Volunteer Fire Department was also on the scene.

On Friday, September 6, 2024, a basement fire broke out in an apartment building on Feldbergplatz in Mainz’s Neustadt district. At around 6:45 p.m., an alert resident was startled by a deflagration in the building’s basement and noticed an unusual smell of smoke and smoke billowing from the basement. The resident reacted quickly and prudently by immediately alerting the fire department and leaving the building. By promptly closing the basement door, the spread of smoke into the stairwell was prevented.

The Mainz Fire Department dispatch center immediately dispatched personnel from the professional and volunteer fire departments to the scene. By the time the emergency crews arrived, thick smoke had already risen from the basement. Thanks to the prompt report, however, the fire was quickly located and brought under control before it could spread to other parts of the building.

Fortunately, no one was injured. The fire department commends the resident’s level-headed response, which played a key role in preventing major damage and potential danger to the building’s occupants. A total of 30 firefighters with several vehicles were on site. They were supported by police and emergency medical services personnel.

The cause of the fire is believed to be a technical malfunction. A rechargeable battery stored in the basement caught fire while charging, thereby triggering the blaze. Rechargeable and regular batteries pose an increased fire risk while charging, which is why the fire department once again emphasizes the importance of a safe charging environment.

At around 1:00 a.m., the Mainz Fire Department initially received a report of a burning smell outdoors in the Sertoriusring area of the Finthen district. After further communication with the caller, who then also reported smoke in the stairwell, the fire dispatch center alerted a fire engine from the professional fire department as well as the Mainz-Finthen Volunteer Fire Department.

Upon the arrival of the first responders at a residential complex on Sertoriusring, smoke was observed coming from the basement area. While a team equipped with heavy-duty breathing apparatus and a C-hose located the source of the fire in the basement and began firefighting operations, the affected building and adjacent structures were further investigated. By installing a mobile smoke barrier between the basement and the stairwell, further smoke spread was prevented.

After the "fire out" call, the affected basement area and the stairwell were mechanically ventilated. Following these extensive measures and a renewed inspection of the building, the operation was concluded after approximately two hours.

In addition to the Mainz Fire Department with a total of 25 personnel, the emergency medical services with one vehicle, the police with several vehicles, and the electricity department of Mainzer Netze were on the scene. The police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.

In the Am Hemel area (Mainz-Gonsenheim), a chemical reaction occurred at an industrial facility in the late afternoon, resulting in the spread of smoke and, above all, vapor. The Mainz Fire Department is on the scene, as is the chemical advisor from the THW. Measurement runs are currently being conducted in the immediate vicinity. Residents are asked to keep windows and doors closed. There is no danger; this is merely an odor nuisance in the affected area. A KATWARN alert for the affected area will be issued shortly.

At around 4:20 p.m., the Mainz Fire Department received an emergency call reporting a chemical reaction accompanied by heat and smoke at an industrial facility in Mainz-Gonsenheim. The fire department dispatch center subsequently dispatched units from both stations of the Mainz Professional Fire Department to the reported address.

Upon arrival, smoke and a strong odor were detected coming from a warehouse. Employees on site explained that a chemical reaction had occurred when several components used for pipe cleaning were mixed together.

The fire department evacuated the entire building as well as surrounding residential and commercial buildings and handed the individuals over to the emergency medical services, which had also been alerted. One of these individuals was taken to a hospital for further examination after receiving initial treatment on site and was able to leave the hospital that evening. Subsequently, the Health Sector Command, which had been called in later, along with rapid-response teams from aid organizations, assisted in providing care and support to those affected who were unable to return to their premises during the duration of the operation.

Fire department personnel surveyed the affected area and moved several containers outdoors. Some of these containers exhibited significantly elevated temperatures as well as smoke and odor emissions.

Chemical experts from the THW and the Boehringer Ingelheim plant fire department, who had been called in, provided on-site support. Since the chemical reaction in the containers had already been triggered by the mixing of the substances and transport was not possible, the reaction had to be allowed to run its course under constant temperature monitoring and with the containers cooled in a water bath. To monitor the surrounding area, additional measurement runs were conducted, and residents were asked via warning services to keep windows and doors closed.

After all the containers had completed their chemical reactions, the incident site was handed over to the owner around 10:00 p.m.

In addition to units from the Mainz Professional Fire Department, several units from the Mainz Volunteer Fire Department and the state capital’s disaster response team were on duty, both at the scene and to handle potential concurrent incidents throughout the city. Emergency medical services, police, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the Boehringer Ingelheim plant fire department, and the labor inspectorate also provided on-site support.

The Mainz Fire Department would like to thank all units and emergency personnel involved for their excellent cooperation.

A fire is currently burning in a warehouse belonging to an electrical wholesaler in the Hechtsheim industrial park near the highway entrance. The Mainz Fire Department is on the scene.

The Mainz Fire Department is asking residents of Hechtsheim, Weisenau, and Oberstadt to keep their windows and doors closed due to the current odor nuisance. A corresponding MoWaS alert will be activated shortly.

Please call 110 only in an emergency to keep the lines open for emergencies.