Overview
- A major fire broke out at the Ültje plant in Schwerte overnight, prompting roughly 100 firefighters to bring the blaze under control with no reported injuries.
- Authorities used the NINA warning app to tell residents to keep windows and doors closed and switch off ventilation while smoke passed through town.
- Firefighters and witnesses reported a strong roasted-peanut smell and a smoke plume that was visible from the nearby A1 motorway.
- Preliminary on-site findings identify a frying (Frittier) machine as the probable ignition source, and a formal investigation into the exact cause and extent of property damage is under way.
- Ültje is a market-leading German nut and snack maker, so the incident could affect local operations and prompt reviews of fryer safety and maintenance practices at similar food‑processing sites.