Feuermeister in action: Gas bottle fire in Pettenbach quickly deleted!

Feuermeister in action: Gas bottle fire in Pettenbach quickly deleted!

On July 16, 2025, in Pettenbach, in the Kirchdorf district on the Krems, an alarming incident occurred in an autogenic welding. There two gas bottles got on fire - one with acetylene and one with oxygen. Six fire departments had to move out to control the situation. Fortunately, the fire was already extinguished when the emergency services arrived. Nevertheless, extensive cooling measures were necessary in order to rule out a further hazard. First, water was used to cool the gas bottles in the building before the bottles were brought outside to cool them further. An old garbage container served as an emergency solution to cool the bottles in it.

burning gas bottles are not only an unpleasant, but also a dangerous problem. They can lead to serious accidents because the bottles are under pressure. Warmth leads to a pressure increase and, in the worst case, can bring the safety valve to the burst, which is colloquially referred to as an explosion. The gas is canceled in a controlled manner, but the dangers are still considerable. [Gasprofi] reports of specific burst pressure values of the different bottle types: Acetylene bottles, for example, have a test pressure of 60 bar and can explode to up to 120 bar when overheating. Significant damage can also occur from fragmented parts and pressure waves.

correct handling is crucial

As the incident shows in Pettenbach, the correct handling of such dangerous situations is of the greatest importance. In the event of a fire in a gas bottle, personnel should be warned immediately and the area is blocked. Fuses are to be avoided, and both the fire brigade and the gas supplier must be informed immediately. In the best case, gas bottles have to be closed and cooled to minimize further risks. [Safe fire brigade] recommends that the fire brigade not only informs the fire brigade, but also remains entrusted with the provision of the situation.

Especially in acetylene bottles, from which often dangerous substances escape, strict safety precautions apply. The valve should be closed with a clean flame, while a distance must be observed when the gas leakage is containing soot. In the event of signs of acetylene decomposition - which can also be life -threatening - quick action is required: close valve, remove pressure reducers, cool down and create a safe environment. The emergency services have to equip themselves with special knowledge in such operations and are therefore well prepared for such scenarios to avoid any tragedies.

we remain optimistic that the incident in Pettenbach is an important indication of the dangers of dealing with gas bottles and that those responsible continue to provide security with a good knack.