Minden Fire Sparks Air Quality Concerns After Auto Shop Blaze
A major fire broke out in Minden on Saturday night, destroying a building that housed an auto repair shop and a printing company's warehouse. Emergency crews worked through Monday morning to bring the blaze under control, with around 240 responders involved in the operation.
Following the fire, LANUK (Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz Nordrhein-Westfalen) conducted air quality tests at seven locations. Traces of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found at two of these sites, including two sampling points near Kindergarten Hahlen.
Most of the test results showed no cause for concern. However, as a precaution, the city of Minden has decided to clean playground equipment and replace the top layer of sand in the daycare's outdoor area. The outdoor space at Hahlen daycare and the playground on Uranusstraße remain closed for now.
Residents living near the fire site have been advised not to build snowmen with their children. Children at the daycare will also be kept indoors until the ground thaws, allowing for further safety measures.
The city is taking preventive steps to address potential contamination from the fire. While most air quality readings were normal, the closure of playgrounds and restrictions on outdoor play will continue until further notice. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely.
