Fire department in Ennepe-Ruhr district is actively working for a time span of seven hours with a team of 132 personnel.

Fire at Ewald Dörken AG in Herdecke: A Collaborative Effort by Multiple Fire Departments

On the evening of August 30, 2025, a significant fire broke out at Ewald Dörken AG on Wetterstraße in Herdecke. The Herdecke fire department received the alarm at 20:07.

The fire, which began in an oven where plastics were being processed, quickly spread, necessitating a massive deployment of forces. Nine fire departments from across the Ennepe-Ruhr district and neighbouring cities responded, with over 132 firefighters on the scene.

The first fire engines arrived within five minutes, and the hall was soon filled with smoke. Firefighters worked diligently to contain the blaze, using over 20 heavy breathing apparatus teams. The production plant and pipe system were gradually opened using tools and angle grinders.

Thankfully, no persons were injured in the fire. At 00:24, the message "Fire under control" was issued, and at 02:30, the incident commander reported "Fire out."

During the incident, a fire alarm was reported at Millöckerweg, leading to the deployment of Wetter (Ruhr) fire department units. However, upon arrival, units found only burnt food, and the deployment was quickly ended.

As a precaution, the public was warned via the NINA warning app about an odour nuisance, but there was no danger to the public. The smoke from the fire spread via an exhaust system of the production plant and was released into the open air via a chimney.

The fire department Herdecke worked tirelessly to extinguish the fire and clean the emergency vehicles and equipment, restoring operational readiness. Catering was provided for personnel due to the high number of personnel and ongoing measures for five hours. Warm and cold drinks, rolls, and chocolate bars were provided, along with seating and resting areas.

Incident commander and fire chief Michael Tillmanns, district fire chief Martin Weber, and a representative of the company thanked all personnel for their efforts. After cleanup at the scene, it was handed over to the police for cause investigation.

In conclusion, the fire at Ewald Dörken AG was a significant incident that required a collaborative effort from multiple fire departments. Despite the challenges, the fire was successfully contained, and no persons were injured. The community's quick response and cooperation ensured the safety of all involved.