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Massive recycling plant fire in Mühlacker forces evacuations and road closures

Black plumes choke the sky as a recycling plant inferno upends life in Mühlacker. Residents flee, roads shut—how bad will the air quality fallout be?

The image shows a group of firefighters wearing helmets and cylinders, working to put out a fire in...
The image shows a group of firefighters wearing helmets and cylinders, working to put out a fire in a shipping container. Smoke is billowing from the container, and there are trees and plants in the background. The sky is visible at the top of the image, and a pipe is visible in the foreground.

Recycling Firm on Fire - Warning About Smoke in Enz District - Massive recycling plant fire in Mühlacker forces evacuations and road closures

A major fire at a recycling facility in Mühlacker has sent thick smoke billowing across the Enz district. The blaze, which broke out on February 21, 2026, led to road closures and prompted urgent action from local authorities as nearby residents faced evacuation orders.

The fire started at a recycling company in the Enzberg district, where a large amount of electronic waste stored outdoors caught fire. Dense smoke quickly spread, affecting neighbouring communities and forcing the closure of roads near the site.

In response, officials in Mühlacker and the Enzkreis issued evacuation notices for residents living close to the fire. A hotline was set up for those impacted, while mobile air quality stations were deployed to monitor smoke pollution. Authorities also advised people to stay indoors with windows shut to avoid exposure to harmful fumes. Psychological support and temporary housing were provided for displaced residents.

Warnings were issued about potential odour pollution from smoke gases, though further details on the fire's cause and full extent remained unclear in the immediate aftermath. Emergency responders remained on the scene as efforts continued to contain the situation.

The fire has disrupted daily life in Mühlacker, with smoke affecting air quality and forcing evacuations. Local agencies are actively managing the response, though the full impact of the incident is still being assessed.

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