FIREFIGHTING EXERCISE IN EMLICHHEIM

August 23, 2025, 10:20 a.m. — Fire alarm at the Emsland Group in Emlichheim!

Suddenly, liquid was leaking from several pipes, employees were in danger: On Saturday morning at 10:20 a.m., the alarm was triggered at the Emsland Group in Emlichheim.

In the “Oxy” plant, a technical defect occurred. A hand valve on a pipeline broke in the open position, causing an unidentified liquid to escape uncontrollably. Several employees were in the immediate vicinity of the leak and came into contact with the substance. Shortly afterwards, some of them showed symptoms such as breathing difficulties, skin irritation, and confusion.

The fire departments from Emlichheim, Nordhorn, Schüttorf and Gildehaus as well as the district branch of the Red Cross, gradually arrived on the scene. Wearing protective suits and breathing apparatus, they worked their way to the leak while rescue teams treated the injured.

For the emergency services on site, it was a race against time. During their inspection, they identified the substance through pipe markings as bleach (sodium hypochlorite solution) – a highly corrosive and environmentally hazardous chemical.

In the end, all affected people were rescued and the leak successfully sealed. After the exhausting hours, the fire brigade and rescue teams gathered, visibly relieved, in the Emsland Group canteen:

👉 Because fortunately, it was only an exercise!

With this realistic scenario, the emergency services trained their coordinated response to a chemical accident. We would like to thank the members of the DLRG Lingen, who acted as casualties and made the situation feel even more real, as well as all those involved for their tremendous commitment and professional cooperation.