Boiler theft prompts power shutdown for 1,900 Vienna households

ORF reported that Wiener Netze cut electricity to about 1,900 households on Monday evening near Breitenfurter Straße after a boiler was stolen during a break-in, creating a risk of explosion.

Unknown individuals removed a boiler, cables and other parts of the gas supply at a disused building belonging to Hawelka coffee roastery in Vienna’s 23rd district. Because the boiler was still connected to the network, gas escaped continuously, according to the Vienna State Police Directorate.

Police spokesman Philipp Haßlinger told APA that the power was cut because there were also residential areas nearby. Wiener Netze switched off the electricity between 9:13 p.m. and 10:50 p.m.

A Wiener Netze spokesperson said the shutdown was necessary because each time the electricity is switched on, sparks can occur in the socket.

Vienna’s professional fire brigade secured the area and ventilated the affected rooms. Police were also called because of the large amount of natural gas that had escaped. The circumstances of the break-in are still unclear and are being investigated.