Baden-Württemberg Hundreds save themselves from flames in Kehl's large disco
The images and statements are reminiscent of the New Year's Eve inferno in Crans-Montana: in the early hours of the morning, a fire breaks out in a large disco in Kehl, not far from the French border. Hundreds of people fled to safety in time, while behind them the flames ate their way through the popular club and spread into the night sky.
29.03.2026, 13:13
29.03.2026, 14:35
SDA
No one is seriously injured, but the disco, which is mainly frequented by young French people, is probably completely destroyed after the hours-long fire. According to the police, the emergency services only had to treat three people due to "the overall situation". They remained uninjured but were stressed and therefore had to be treated, said a police spokeswoman.
Compliments for disco operator
"We were dancing when the alarm went off," a girl told the newspaper "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace". "We immediately rushed to the exit." When the fire department arrived, the disco was already on fire, but all the guests were outside and safe, according to Annette Lipowsky from Kehl city council. "The operators did a really good job."
Those affected from the Alsatian town of Hagenau also spoke of several announcements in German, French and English in which guests were asked to evacuate. "They reassured us. The evacuation went very quickly. The staff were there to guide everyone," they said, according to the daily newspaper "Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace". There was no panic.
Celebrators from nearby Strasbourg
The morning after the major fire, the once popular club lies in ruins, thick clouds of smoke billowing out of it. An excavator is tearing down the walls of the hall in the industrial area so that the fire department can better reach the pockets of embers inside. Only when this work has been completed can the CID fire investigators enter the building.
The club is located not far from the French border in the Ortenau district. Guests from nearby Strasbourg also come to party at the hip-hop and Afro music disco. In total, it offers space for up to 1,500 guests with 400 seats. According to the police, neighboring buildings are not in danger from the fire.
At least 80 firefighters, police and ambulance crews were deployed in the early hours of the morning, according to the police spokeswoman. A number of witnesses were interviewed in order to determine the cause of the fire, which has not yet been clarified. It was not yet possible to provide any information on the amount of damage.
Crans-Montana fire disaster
The fire is reminiscent of the New Year's Eve inferno in Crans-Montana, which is still preoccupying the public and the authorities in Switzerland. At the turn of the year, a devastating fire broke out in a bar there, killing 41 people and injuring dozens more. Sparking party fountains had set fire to foam on the ceiling.ceiling on fire.
