Major fire in Bresegard: 10,000 chickens die – investigations are ongoing!

Major fire in Bresegard: 10,000 chickens die – investigations are ongoing!

In the small community of Bresegard in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district, a devastating fire has enveloped the poultry house of a local business in night and fog. According to NDR, around 10,000 chickens died, which deeply shocked the village community. The investigation into the cause of the fire is in full swing; Both the criminal police and fire experts are on site and are investigating the exact circumstances. Particular attention is being paid to recent construction work on the stables, which is suspected to be connected to the fire.

Although rumors of possible arson, particularly by militant animal rights activists, have spread in the neighborhood, no evidence has been found to support these speculations. Residents express skepticism, pointing out that the panicked animals could not be saved, which only intensifies the tragedy. “We need to take better care of our animals,” warn many voices from the community.

An open ear for animal protection

The situation has also brought animal rights activists into action. They demand better protective measures in animal husbandry facilities. The animal protection foundation “Four Paws” has heavily criticized the current fire protection regulations. These are inadequate and do not offer the animals the necessary protection. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Interior Minister Christian Pegel (SPD) reinforces this idea and emphasizes that the fire protection guidelines have been tightened since last year. “Strict fire protection concepts are essential for new buildings,” says Pegel, who points out that existing buildings, such as the run-down stable from 2013, do not need to be converted unless major renovation work is planned.

In 2024, the state government is also planning a new guideline that will include comprehensive requirements to improve fire protection in animal husbandry. This includes, among other things, fire compartments and a suitable fire-fighting water supply. According to Nordkurier, the question remains whether these measures are enough to prevent future tragedies. There are clear deficits in the German animal protection law, as the German Legal Society for Animal Protection Law (DJGT) has found.

Fire safety regulations under pressure

The experts warn that hundreds of thousands of farm animals die in Germany every year due to stable fires and technical defects. Despite the high number of animals losing their lives in such tragedies, no new regulations have been enacted to protect animals since 2013. The DJGT is therefore calling for comprehensive reforms in animal protection law, including specific fire protection regulations that should also affect existing stables. Suggestions include alarm systems, regular testing of electrical systems and emergency generators to enable immediate action in the event of a ventilation failure.

As the Bresegard investigation continues and the community grieves over the lost animals, the question remains as to how effective the coming changes to protect the animals will actually be. The case has not only shaken up the farm community, but also the entire region and shows that a good hand in fire protection is essential to avoid such incidents in the future.