Fire at Pama business brings 160 firefighters to the scene

A fire at a business in Pama, in the Neusiedl am See district, brought about 160 firefighters to the scene overnight, ORF reported. Police and emergency services also responded, and a nearby residential complex was evacuated. The firefighting operation is continuing.

The alarm was raised shortly after 2.15am on Tuesday. Flames and heavy smoke were visible from a distance, prompting a response from across the surrounding area, said Markus Scharinger of the Neusiedl am See district fire command.

It was the second fire at the same business within hours. Firefighters had been called there on Monday afternoon to deal with a blaze involving a pellet stove.

The overnight fire was more serious. Police and emergency services evacuated the adjoining residential complex, and all 19 people there were unharmed. Most of the fire has been extinguished, but crews are working out how to reach hot spots in parts of the building that are difficult to access.

A telescopic loader from the Zurndorf volunteer fire brigade is being used to clear the fire scene. Sheet-metal roofs must be removed to reach the remaining hot spots. Police fire investigators will then work to establish the cause.

The local school and kindergarten will remain closed on Tuesday because they are near the building. Pama’s main road is expected to remain closed until at least midday.