In Hambühren in the Celle district two excavators caught fire in quick succession on 31 October 2026 excavator at separate locations. The fire brigade extinguished both fires. At the second incident, crews stopped the flames from spreading to the sports hall at the nearby Manfred Holz Primary School . No injuries were reported.
According to the fire brigade and Polizei the emergency calls came in during the morning, one shortly after the other, and the sites were only a few kilometres apart. Several fire engines were deployed, with around 45 emergency personnel in total. The fires were tackled with water and foam, and nearby areas were checked for further hotspots. Both construction machines were badly damaged.
Police have opened an investigation into the cause. No concrete evidence of a technical fault or arson has been made public so far; the criminal police is investigating both possibilities. The authorities initially gave no estimate of the property damage. Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious near the incident sites is asked to contact the police.
Fires involving construction machinery are challenging for emergency crews because fuel, hydraulic oil and high operating temperatures can cause flames to spread quickly. Crews therefore used foam and several hose lines in a targeted way, while protecting areas at risk. The fire brigade also secured the surroundings to prevent smoke and heat damage to buildings.
The municipality of Hambühren and the fire brigades involved said they coordinated their response to the simultaneous incidents, allowing equipment and personnel to be moved quickly between sites. Police temporarily cordoned off the affected areas to enable firefighting and the collection of evidence. Police said they would announce the results of the ongoing investigation at a later date.
The unusual double incident draws attention to fire safety on construction sites. Operators are expected to have machinery serviced regularly, store flammable materials safely and keep access routes clear for emergency vehicles. It is not yet known whether organisational or technical shortcomings played a role in Hambühren; the authorities do not expect to make any firm statements until the investigations are complete.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).