World War II relic explodes during Burgenland forest fire

A World War II relic exploded during a forest fire between Neudörfl and Pöttsching in the Mattersburg district of Burgenland on Saturday. No firefighters were injured, ORF reported.

Firefighters already battling the blaze were immediately withdrawn from the danger zone, according to the district fire brigade command. They continued fighting the fire from a safe distance.

Two other similar objects were found in the fire area, making it necessary to conduct firefighting operations remotely. The site was also difficult to reach because of rough terrain, so firefighters had to lay a water supply line about 200 metres long.

Thirteen fire brigades with around 150 members from Burgenland and Lower Austria took part in the operation.