Burned filter leaves Unterfrauenhaid facing weeks of bad smells

Residents of Unterfrauenhaid in Burgenland are reporting increased unpleasant smells two weeks after a fire at the local animal carcass processing facility, ORF reported. The smell is coming from the plant, located about two kilometres outside the village centre.

The fire destroyed the facility’s filter and exhaust-air systems. The plant has since resumed partial operations without the filter, according to operator Friedrich Hausberger of TKV Burgenland.

Hausberger said the company was grateful to have resumed operations promptly in coordination with the authorities. As critical infrastructure, the facility handles dead animals and animal by-products and supports disease prevention.

Mayor Thomas Niklos said the odour nuisance had clearly increased since the fire, along with complaints and concerns among residents. He added that the operator was taking those concerns seriously.

The plant is the municipality’s largest employer and supplies waste heat to the district heating network. The operators said they were working to restore the necessary processing systems as quickly as possible and described the situation as an exceptional one.

The extent of the damage and the cause of the fire remain unknown. Repairs to the filter will take several more weeks, and unpleasant smells may continue to reach Unterfrauenhaid depending on wind direction and strength. The municipality has about 650 residents.