Chlorine gas escaped in a basement fire in Maria Enzersdorf (Lower Austria) on Sunday evening. When the fire brigade arrived, all residents had already left the building.
The fire brigade was called around 6 p.m. White smoke billowed from the windows, and the air had a pungent chemical smell. Neighbors have been instructed to lock windows and to consult a doctor in case of complaints.
The fire in the basement was fought, but the search for a missing cat in the affected building turned up nothing. After the operation, some of the 32 firefighters deployed had to be disinfected.
Faulty pipe as the cause
Apparently steam had escaped from a damaged pipe, which probably led to a reaction with stored chlorine granules, releasing poisonous chlorine gas. The affected family stayed with friends temporarily.
In consultation with the environmental advisory service, the residual chlorine granulate was brought into the basin after measurements, where it must now dissolve over the course of a few days.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
