A fire station in western Germany has burned down and 10 fire engines have been destroyed due to the site not having fire alarms.
The facility, located in Stadtallendorf, had been praised as a "modern, state-of-the-art" structure when it opened just last year.
However, just months later, firefighters from Stadtallendorf and neighbouring areas were faced with the embarrassing task of extinguishing a fire at their own station.
The building had no fire alarms installed because it was designated as an equipment storage site, according to local newspaper Oberhessische Presse.
A fire station in western Germany has burned down and 10 fire engines have been destroyed, because the site did not have fire alarmsXThe specific type of site meant it was legally exempt from requiring fire alarms.
Lars Schafer, the district fire inspector, told reporters: "It is a nightmare for a firefighter.
"No one wants to have to extinguish his own fire station."
According to witnesses, around 170 firefighters - including local volunteers - attempted to tackle the blaze.
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Reports suggest the fire could have been started by a malfunctioning battery charger.
Flames are understood to have climbed to as high as 10 metres.
A local authority spokesperson noted that the fire station was equipped with a fire protection wall.
The wall fortunately prevented the flames from spreading to nearby buildings.
Reports suggest the fire could have been started by a malfunctioning battery charger (stock image)
PASchafer explained that the station was constructed hastily to boost "local morale," which might account for the lack of fire alarms, according to The Guardian.
The Hesse State Fire Brigade Association has since urged an immediate review of the regulations that permitted the station to be built without such alarms.
Schafer also mentioned that discussions are underway about whether a new fire station should include alarm systems.
