Fire at Düsseldorf Sports Facility: Feuerwehr Responds to Eller Blaze

A fire broke out late Friday evening in a changing room at a sports facility in Düsseldorf-Eller, prompting a large response from the city’s fire department. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at the Bezirkssportanlage on Vennhauser Allee around 10:10 PM, according to officials.

Several athletes were still present at the facility when the fire was discovered and they immediately alerted the fire department and attempted to extinguish the flames with fire extinguishers, according to initial reports. The fire originated in a changing room connected to a sauna in the building’s upper level.

Firefighters quickly brought the blaze under control, preventing it from spreading to other parts of the building. However, extinguishing hidden embers proved to be a lengthy and labor-intensive process. Fire crews had to open a section of the roof, covering approximately 20 square meters, to ensure the fire was completely extinguished.

Approximately 20 firefighters were involved in the operation, which lasted around three hours before all units were able to return to their stations. No injuries were reported as a result of the fire.

The Düsseldorf Fire Department, established in 1872, comprises a professional fire brigade and ten volunteer fire units. The professional fire brigade operates from nine fire and rescue stations, a special operations station, and a fireboat station, according to city records.

The criminal police have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire. As of Saturday morning, the investigation remains ongoing.