Large-scale operation by the fire department: fire in the St. Pauli bunker at Heiligengeistfeld!

Large-scale operation by the fire department: fire in the St. Pauli bunker at Heiligengeistfeld!

A fire in the St. Pauli bunker at Heiligengeistfeld on June 13, 2025 led to a major deployment by the Hamburg fire department. The fire broke out in the basement in the sprinkler center on a generator, which brought emergency services to the scene around 10:40 a.m. Thanks to the fire brigade's quick handling, the fire could be extinguished quickly, but the subsequent extinguishing work had to take longer because thermal imaging cameras were used to locate hidden embers Day24 reported.

The fire department was on site with around 20 emergency services when the first alarm was received. One person, presumably a technical employee, suffered minor smoke inhalation and was treated on site. This medical event was confirmed by emergency responders and fortunately there were no other injuries. The fire department emphasized that no evacuation measures were necessary due to the situation. The bunker building houses, among other things, a hotel and attracts numerous tourists, which makes the operation even more remarkable.

Technical challenges

The poor ventilation in the affected room made extensive ventilation measures necessary. Despite the intensive efforts of the emergency services, the smoke was initially heavy, although the fire department did not classify this as critical. Loud t online Devices were used to specifically extract the smoke, which helped to keep the air clean.

The extinguishing operation was successfully completed around 12:40 p.m. after a carbon dioxide measurement came back negative. A fire inspection was scheduled for 3 p.m. to ensure there was no longer any danger in the building. The exact causes of the fire remain unclear and investigations are ongoing.

A look at other fire incidents in Hamburg

The incident in the St. Pauli bunker is not the first of its kind in the Hanseatic city. In August 2023, there was a devastating fire in a high-rise bunker in Rothenburgsort, in which 45 people were injured. The fire department had to work under difficult conditions and evacuate many residents. Such events raise important questions about fire safety regulations in old bunkers, which are often used to store hazardous materials. The interior authority is currently planning inspections of 94 bunkers in Hamburg to ensure security in the city.

The incidents in Rothenburgsort and Bahrenfeld make it clear that despite decades of approval, practice in these buildings can repeatedly lead to fire-related challenges. A good plan B might always be a good idea here.