Major fire shakes Villingen's old town: millions in damage and injuries!

Major fire shakes Villingen's old town: millions in damage and injuries!

On Saturday evening, June 15, 2025, there was a devastating major fire in the picturesque old town of Villingen-Schwenningen, which caused considerable damage. The first emergency call was reported at around 6:27 p.m. The flames, initially identified as a balcony fire, spread quickly and required nearly 100 firefighters to battle the inferno at the scene. The narrow streets and the dense old buildings presented additional challenges for the emergency services, as the fire department reports.

Unfortunately, there were some injuries: four residents suffered minor injuries. Things became particularly serious for two firefighters who had to be treated in hospital due to the dangerous situation, while another colleague received outpatient care. The head of operations, Robert Friedrich, stated that the extinguishing work was made even more difficult by the structural conditions of the partially collapsed buildings. The cause of the fire is currently unclear and the criminal police have started an investigation. A more detailed examination of the ruins of the affected houses can only be started after they have cooled down.

Millions of dollars in damage

The financial damage is estimated at several million euros, which underlines the magnitude of this fire. Villingen, a district of Villingen-Schwenningen with around 90,000 inhabitants and known for its historical character, is facing difficult times. As a result, they are now looking for a new home for the evacuated residents, who have been temporarily housed with friends and families.

Residents were also asked to keep their windows and doors closed to protect themselves from possible rising smoke gases. “There is no risk of further collapses,” assured the operations manager as the final extinguishing work was carried out and the adjacent buildings were cooled with water fountains to prevent the flames from spreading.

Review of the fire safety situation

A look at the fire protection figures in Germany shows that there are no comprehensive and uniform statistics on fires. However, studies show that weaknesses in fire safety can sometimes have serious consequences. Regular updates and surveys are necessary to improve the fire protection situation. According to current statistics, it is important to continually collect and evaluate data on fire causes and injuries in order to be better prepared for the future.

In Villingen-Schwenningen they are now hoping for quick clarity about the cause of the fire in order to close possible safety gaps and learn from this incident. The fire department and the authorities are in close contact in order to be able to provide affected residents with better support in the future. Onlookers were consistently kept out of the danger zone during the operation, a necessary step to ensure everyone's safety.

For more information about this incident and general fire safety statistics, visit Antenna Münster and Swabian newspaper. You can find out more about fire protection statistics in Germany at FeuerTrutz.