Fire Dispatch Error Contributes to Fatal House Fire in Clausnitz

Two elderly residents died after firefighters were mistakenly sent to the wrong location due to name confusion, prompting a review of emergency response protocols.

• A house fire in Clausnitz, Osterzgebirge, on March 30 claimed the lives of two elderly residents, aged 84 and 86.
• The fire was caused by a technical defect in the home's electrical system, according to investigators.
• Firefighters were initially sent 60 kilometers away to Claußnitz due to a dispatch error caused by the similarity in place names.
• The error was corrected after a second emergency call two minutes later, but the delay was critical and contributed to the fatalities.
• The regional dispatch center is conducting an internal review of the incident, though police have confirmed they are not investigating at this time.

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