Horw: Violent explosion on the construction site

accident

Violent explosion of gas cylinders on a large construction site in Horw claims one fatality

Several gas bottles exploded on a construction site near Horw train station. One person was so badly injured in the accident that she died on the spot. It is still unclear what led to the sudden ignition of the fire.

In Horw, an explosion occurred on the roof of a major construction site right next to the train station, as several readers reported on Wednesday followingnoon.

According to the Lucerne police, one person was killed in the explosion of gas bottles.

Brand in #Horw: At around 4 p.m. we received a report of a fire on the roof of a construction site. When the rescue workers arrived, there was thick smoke and several gas bottles exploded. One person was injured so badly that she died on the spot. More information will follow. pic.twitter.com/IH57ImYQBo

— Lucerne Police (@PolizeiLuzern) July 20, 2022

The dark plumes of smoke were visible from afar. As a reader reporter reported, it is said to be gas cylinders from flat roof workers. In the video of a reader reporter, the explosion can be seen and a loud bang can be heard:

Video: Leserreporter PilatusToday

Video: Leserreporter PilatusToday

The explosion occurred on the area between the tracks and Allmendstrasse.

According to initial information, the affected construction site is the “Moyo” development, which is part of the Horw Mitte project.

This is what the superstructure at the roundregarding should look like one day. The explosion occurred on the smaller block of flats to the right of the high-rise building, which is also under construction.

Visualization: PD/Rüssli Architekten AG

The Waldfee day care center is located near the construction site. As a reader reporter tells, the children from the day care center were lucky: they were inside during the explosion, they are usually outside at this time. A gas bottle fell down right next to the daycare center:

A gas bottle hit the ground right next to the Waldfee daycare center.

Image: reader reporter

The operation was a challenge for the fire brigade, the commander of the Horw fire brigade tells Beat Meyer PilatusToday:

“When we were there, there was a second explosion, which threw back the extinguishing work.”

The goal was to get to the roof as quickly as possible to put out the fire. What led to the explosion of the gas cylinders is still unclear, as the Lucerne police said on request. The area around the superstructure and rail traffic had to be temporarily closed. The investigation is being conducted by the public prosecutor’s office in Emmen. (pl)