Sauna stove suspected in Gschwandt house fire

A residential house caught fire overnight in Gschwandt in the Gmunden district, injuring a 71-year-old resident, ORF reported. The building’s upper floor and roof structure were severely damaged.

The man noticed the flames in the upper floor, woke his wife and tried to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher while she called emergency services. He suffered burns of unspecified severity and was taken to Salzkammergut Clinic Vöcklabruck for treatment.

Firefighters were alerted at about 2 a.m. When they arrived, thick smoke was already coming from the roof and flames were visible through several windows. The Gschwandt volunteer fire brigade called in additional support from the Gmunden volunteer fire brigade and the Steyrermühl industrial fire brigade.

Firefighters were unable to save the roof structure and parts of the upper floor. The ground floor also sustained extensive damage. About 50 firefighters worked at the scene for several hours and prevented the flames from spreading to neighbouring buildings.

The State Criminal Police Office is investigating the cause of the fire. During an initial inspection with an expert, investigators found indications that an operating sauna stove may have started the fire. Further technical examinations in a laboratory are planned.