Three firefighters sustained minor injuries in Bentwisch, in the Rostock district, on Sunday, July 5, 2026. According to the police, the incident was triggered by the overheating of a battery storage unit located in a wooden shed on a residential property. The unit was part of an installed photovoltaic system, which caused a fire to break out. During firefighting operations, the system exploded; the roof was blown off, and the shed collapsed. Debris also damaged two neighboring properties, resulting in damages estimated at around 40,000 euros. Five volunteer fire departments deployed 75 personnel to the scene, while the public prosecutor’s office and the criminal police launched an investigation.
Firefighters Hit by Explosion
The Bentwisch fire department was the first to arrive at the property, as the fire was within its own area of operations. Additional units from Klein Kussewitz, Mönchhagen, Poppendorf, and Rövershagen subsequently arrived to provide support. The firefighters had begun battling the blaze when the situation suddenly escalated.
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The explosion blew the roof off the wooden shed, and the structure itself collapsed. Three volunteer firefighters, aged 18, 25, and 31, sustained minor injuries and were taken to the hospital for further treatment.
Battery storage systems make fires harder to manage
However, the fire did not involve an ordinary tool shed; the building housed a battery storage unit for a photovoltaic system. Such systems concentrate electrical energy in a confined space, meaning malfunctions can pose specific hazards for emergency responders.
With battery storage systems, key concerns include heat, toxic fumes, electrical voltage, and potential secondary reactions. Ultimately, however, the specific technology installed in Bentwisch is the deciding factor. Investigators are currently looking into this, as the exact cause has not yet been determined.
Investigators Examine Cause of Fire
The public prosecutor’s office commissioned a fire cause investigator, and the criminal police launched an investigation. The inquiry focuses on why the storage unit overheated. Potential factors include installation, ventilation, ambient temperature, battery management, or a technical defect.
Such incidents pose additional risks for firefighters because a storage unit can continue to react even after the visible fire has been extinguished. Operators of photovoltaic systems should therefore document the system’s location, equipment specifications, and shutdown options. This information helps firefighters quickly select the appropriate tactics during an emergency response.
Author: Blackout-News
Sources: Presseportal (05.07.26) – Photon (06.07.26) – Ostsee Zeitung (05.07.26) – NDR (06.07.26)