Tragic 1971 Linde plant fire claimed nine lives in Wiesbaden’s darkest firefighting disaster
A devastating fire at Linde’s refrigeration plant in Kostheim, Wiesbaden, claimed the lives of three firefighters on January 23, 1971. The blaze, which broke out late in the evening, drew crews from across the Rhine-Main region. It would later become one of the deadliest industrial fires in West Germany at the time.
The fire erupted at the plant, prompting a massive response from local and regional fire brigades. Among the first responders were Hans Bender, Otto Bintz, and Gerhard Schuck—all members of the Kostheim Volunteer Fire Brigade. Tragically, the three men lost their lives while battling the flames.
After the fire seemed under control, eight firefighters re-entered the building to check for lingering hazards. A sudden collapse trapped six men inside. Kurt Windrich, a 53-year-old technical officer, Albert Scheurich, a 27-year-old senior firefighter, and 16-year-old Karl-Heinz Bremser were killed in the incident. Six others survived but suffered injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment. The fire raged on for more than two weeks, with crews finally extinguishing it on February 7. A large memorial service took place on February 1 to honour the victims. Months later, in August 1971, steelworker Jovan Bulev died during reconstruction work at the site. Today, the Kostheim Volunteer Fire Brigade remembers its fallen comrades on its website, describing their deaths as 'the ultimate sacrifice, the greatest a firefighter can give'. Plaques at Fire Station 1 and in Schierstein also serve as lasting tributes to those who lost their lives.
The disaster remains one of the most tragic incidents in the region’s firefighting history. Memorials and commemorations continue to honour the nine men who died—three in the initial blaze, three in the collapse, and one during the plant’s rebuilding. Their names are preserved in local tributes, ensuring their sacrifice is not forgotten.
