As the investigation into the deadly fire inferno at Graz’s inner-city bar Stern stalled, the 21-year-old who suffocated on New Year’s Eve was buried. Her beloved Haflinger “Shirkan” accompanied the Lower Austrian on her last journey.
It should be such a wonderful, enchanting evening in the new year. Lena was looking forward to a fireworks display of emotions in Graz – to dazzling stars that would make her life shine – after saying goodbye to her beloved Haflinger “Shirkan” in the afternoon at the Lower Austrian horse stud. But it was precisely this New Year’s Eve celebration in the city center restaurant (as reported) that was her fatal fate.
There are simply no words
The beautiful 21-year-old from Mödling (Lower Austria) died on New Year’s morning in the Stern because it caught fire. Another 21 youths were injured, some seriously. Why the fire broke out, and especially who caused the inferno – apparently with starbursts – may never be clarified.
On this bitterly cold, stormy January day at the Southwestern Cemetery in Vienna, no one is talking about it. There are simply no words.
A girl, just at the beginning of her life, who could stand on her feet, stood with her family and friends through thick and thin – still wanted to conquer the world on the back of her “best friend” “Shirkan”, lies in a bright place Coffin – surrounded by beautiful wreaths of fragrant red and white roses.
More than a hundred mourners
‘The Rose’ by Bette Midler breaks the silence in the funeral hall after this sentence is quoted from the text: ‘Remember that in winter, deep under the bitter cold snow, lies the seed of who, through the love of the sun, the alley up in the spring. And Lena’s final journey to the family grave, accompanied by more than a hundred mourners, was ultimately overshadowed by the light of the sun.
In complete silence. Only the clatter of the hooves of an unusual visitor to the cemetery could be heard. ‘Shirkan’ trotted behind the coffin – to Lena’s final resting place. “You will always be in our hearts. Your stable community” can be read on the embroidered horse blanket. The (life) act of the 21-year-old has been closed. It remains to be hoped that the investigators will remain open until the tragedy is clarified .
Fire investigators are groping in the dark
The major fire in the famous Stern Bar on Sporgasse injured 21 people, some seriously. Three fire victims are still in the LKH University Hospital Graz – one woman is still being treated in intensive care for her severe burns, and two men have now been transferred to the normal ward. The woman is now stable, but time will tell if she is out of the woods. We wish everyone the best.
Meanwhile, the investigation into the cause of the fire is in full swing. However, the “Krone” learns from police circles that the evaluation of the extensive video material – witnesses had made mobile phone recordings of the inferno – was inconclusive: the “detonator” had not been filmed!
The only thing left for the extensive police investigation team to do is interview eyewitnesses: have they seen who might be handling star spray and setting fire to decoration materials in the restaurant? “We don’t know if we will ever find a perpetrator,” one official said soberingly.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
