Massive Minden fire destroys businesses, triggers playground closures over contamination fears

A large fire erupted in Minden on Saturday night, destroying a building that housed an auto repair shop and a printing company's warehouse. Emergency crews worked through the weekend to bring the blaze under control, with around 240 responders involved in the operation by Monday morning.

The fire caused significant damage, prompting local authorities to take precautionary steps. Nearby, the outdoor area of the Hahlen daycare centre and the math playground on Uranusstraße were closed temporarily. Officials warned residents against letting children build snowmen in the area, fearing potential contamination from soot or debris.

Air quality tests carried out after the fire mostly showed no serious risks. However, traces of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found at two of the seven sampling locations. As a result, the city announced plans to clean playground equipment and replace the top layer of sand in the daycare's outdoor space.

Children will remain indoors at the daycare until the ground thaws. This measure aims to prevent any contaminants from being tracked inside on shoes or clothing.

The fire in Minden has led to ongoing safety measures, including playground closures and air quality monitoring. While most tests returned normal results, the detection of PAHs has prompted further cleaning efforts. Authorities continue to assess the situation as cleanup work progresses.