School fire in Oberhausen: the police are one step further

A little over two weeks ago, a fire largely destroyed the roof structure in the oldest wing of the former St. Michael Hauptschule. The police are now one step further in the investigation into the causes of the fire.

As police spokesman Rene Anhuth explains on request, arson can be ruled out at this point in time. According to his statements, investigations have shown that the fire broke out in a roof area that was not generally accessible. However, the exact cause has not yet been determined and the investigations will continue, according to Anhuth.

Service companies are preparing to demolish the fire building

The building was cordoned off by the police, but has now been reopened. This allows Servicebetriebe Oberhausen (SBO) to continue their preparations for the demolition of the brick building from 1910. Like the other four buildings, including a sports hall, it is to be leveled to the ground.

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But the times when a wrecking ball came and completely destroyed houses are long gone. “Nowadays it is necessary to gut every single building,” explains SBO spokesman Alexander Höfer. Radiators, floors, pipes or, for example, lamps are each moved to the side separately, taken away and then disposed of. Demolition only begins once the building has been emptied in this way, explains Höfer. The mountains of rubble and stone are then destined for special landfills.

The first demolition excavators are expected to arrive in three to four weeks

The spokesman expects the first demolition excavators to arrive in three to four weeks. Since the service companies expect a lot of work, “we are planning a period of six to nine months for the entire demolition,” explains Höfer.

The service companies have already started fencing off the site, but are far from finished. Further barriers are to follow so that only those who have permission to do so can enter the property.

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