Two gondolas of the Ferris wheel were completely destroyed by fire. Several individuals suffered from smoke inhalation, and the cause of the blaze remained unclear in the evening.
The police spokesperson was initially unable to provide comments on the situation. She stated that four police officers were among those injured.
Four police officers were also injured in the fire at the Ferris wheel in Leipzig. Imago / Archeopix
The cause of the fire was still unclear as the evening progressed. Initially, one of the gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire around 9 p.m., with the flames quickly spreading to the second gondola. Both gondolas were entirely consumed by the fire.
“To prevent mass panic”
Guido, a festival-goer from Cologne, reported that the Ferris wheel suddenly began to speed up. At that moment, the burning gondolas were at the top. “Then there was complete silence,” the 58-year-old recounted.
When the first flames were visible, rapper Ski Aggu (26) was performing on stage. He later expressed on his Instagram story, “I am absolutely horrified and shocked by the Ferris wheel fire during my show at Highfield. I was clearly instructed to not cancel the show under any circumstances, but to remain in communication with you to prevent mass panic.”
The priority was to mitigate the situation from worsening. Fortunately, this was achieved. “Thank you all for staying calm and preventing anything worse from occurring.” The swift response of the rescue workers was crucial. “Thank you for your service! I hope everyone affected recovers quickly,” stated the rapper from Berlin, whose real name is August Jean Diederich and who is known for wearing ski goggles. Eyewitnesses mentioned that people were gradually evacuated from the Ferris wheel.
Two gondolas burned out completely. Imago / Archeopix
Festival with 30,000 visitors interrupted
The festival at Störmthaler See, a large rock and pop event with approximately 30,000 attendees, was put on hold. About an hour after the fire erupted, around 10 p.m., an announcement was made on stage assuring visitors that those affected were safe and that the festival would resume with a performance by Cro. By around 11 p.m., the program was back on track.
Ricky, a 27-year-old festival-goer who traveled from the Harz region, was initially uncertain about whether the concerts should proceed after the fire. He noticed a subdued atmosphere. However, he commended the organizers for their handling of the situation: “There were clear announcements, and we knew what had happened.”
Bastian from Leipzig echoed that the rescue team arrived promptly. He sensed that many attendees were returning to their tents, preferring to conclude the evening there and discuss their experiences, stated the 33-year-old.
“Smelled like plastic”
Two gondolas of the Ferris wheel were completely burned out. Several people suffered from smoke inhalation. The cause of the fire remained unclear in the evening.
The police spokeswoman was initially unable to comment on this information. According to her, four police officers are among the injured.
Four police officers were also injured in the fire at the Ferris wheel in Leipzig. Imago / Archeopix
The cause of the fire remained unclear in the evening. First, one of the gondolas on the Ferris wheel caught fire at around 9 p.m. The fire then spread to the second gondola. Both were completely destroyed by the fire.
Witness Accounts of the Fire
Festival visitor Guido from Cologne reported that the Ferris wheel suddenly went faster. The burning gondolas were then at the very top. “Then there was dead silence,” the 58-year-old described.
When the first flames became visible, rapper Ski Aggu (26) was on stage. In his Instagram story, he wrote a short time later: “I am absolutely dismayed and shocked by the Ferris wheel fire during my show at Highfield. I was just told in no uncertain terms that I should not cancel the show under any circumstances, but should first stay in dialogue with you so that mass panic does not arise.”
The priority was to prevent the situation from escalating any further. Fortunately, that worked. “Thank you all for staying so calm and preventing anything worse from happening.” The decisive factor was the work of the rescue workers, who reacted quickly. “Thank you for your service!! I hope everyone affected gets better soon,” wrote the rapper from Berlin, whose real name is August Jean Diederich and whose trademark is ski goggles. People were then gradually taken off the Ferris wheel, those present reported.
Two gondolas burned out completely. Imago / Archeopix
Impact on the Festival
The festival at Störmthaler See, a large rock and pop festival with around 30,000 visitors, was interrupted. Around an hour after the fire broke out, at around 10 p.m., an announcement was made on stage to the visitors that those affected were fine – and that the festival would continue with a performance by Cro. At around 11 p.m., the program actually continued.
Festival visitor Ricky, who had travelled from the Harz region, was initially unsure after the fire whether the concerts should continue. The 27-year-old found the mood depressed. However, he praised the organisers for their approach: “There were clear announcements and we knew what had happened.”
Bastian from Leipzig also said that the rescue team arrived quickly. He had the feeling that many visitors were now heading to their tents – and that they wanted to end the evening there and talk about what they had experienced, said the 33-year-old.
Safety Measures and Emergency Response
The prompt action taken by the emergency response teams played a crucial role in managing the chaotic situation during the fire at the Ferris wheel. Here are some notable safety measures taken:
- Fast Reaction: Rescue teams were on the scene within minutes, providing immediate assistance to the affected individuals.
- Clear Communication: Organizers maintained open lines of communication with festival-goers to keep them informed about the situation.
- Controlled Evacuations: Individuals trapped in the gondolas were gradually and safely evacuated, minimizing panic.
Understanding the Cause of the Fire
As of now, the exact cause of the fire at the Ferris wheel remains under investigation. Several potential factors could contribute to such incidents:
- Electrical Failure: Faulty wiring or electrical components are common culprits in amusement ride fires.
- Flammable Materials: The use of non-fire-retardant materials in construction may lead to rapid fire spread.
- Maintenance Negligence: Inadequate maintenance checks can overlook critical safety issues.
Festival Etiquette During Emergencies
Understanding how to behave during emergencies can make a significant difference. Here are some practical tips for festival goers:
- Stay Calm: In moments of panic, staying calm helps you think clearly and make rational decisions.
- Follow Instructions: Listen to festival staff and emergency workers. They are trained to handle these situations.
- Report Issues: If you notice something suspicious or hazardous, report it immediately.
Conclusion
The fire incident at the Ferris wheel during the festival highlights the importance of emergency preparedness and communication. As investigations continue, attendees and organizers must focus on ensuring safety measures are enhanced to prevent future incidents.
