Lightning sparks major fire in German village, dozens displaced

A lightning strike ignited a devastating fire in the small German village of Drognitz on the night of September 5, destroying homes and barns and leaving dozens of residents displaced.

The rural town, home to around 600 people, experienced a sudden, blinding flash followed by a thunderous explosion as flames engulfed a barn, according to witnesses and local broadcaster MDR Thüringen, Caliber.Az reports via German media. 

Mayor Tom Zimmermann confirmed that lightning is believed to have caused the fire. “The barn was immediately engulfed in flames,” he told the German Press Agency.

Firefighters responded shortly after midnight, with up to 150 personnel working to bring the blaze under control. Despite their efforts, three houses and multiple barns were completely destroyed, with damages estimated at approximately €1 million (£867,000).

Eighteen residents, ranging in age from 2 to 96, were left homeless. Disaster relief teams and the mountain rescue unit of the German Red Cross continued to battle the fire into the next morning.

Authorities have urged affected residents to seek temporary shelter and continue assessing the damage in the aftermath of the fire.

By Sabina Mammadli