Fire spreads from bin to roof of St. Pölten home

A fire that started in a plastic waste container spread across the facade and into the roof of a single-family home in St. Pölten on Saturday, ORF reported.

The container was under a canopy, and neighbours initially tried to put out the flames with a garden hose. When firefighters were called, they were told the fire was already under control.

That assessment proved incorrect. The fire had spread beneath the plaster through about 25 centimetres of foam insulation into the upper floor. It then moved beneath the roof tiles towards the gable, with flames eventually visible between the tiles.

Firefighters removed the tiles one by one to reach and extinguish the burning structure beneath them. They also worked to contain flying sparks and protect the adjoining building. The fire was brought under control shortly afterwards.