Wernigerode (dpa/sa) - After the fire in September on the Brocken, the Harz district is dealing with the settlement of outstanding bills. The district council of the Harz approved during the week above-planned expenses of around 1.7 million euros, as a spokesman for the district explained on Friday. Invoices include private helicopter providers and caterers who support the emergency services in fighting the fire. First, the "Volksstimme" had reported.
So far, the "rough cost estimate" was 3.2 million euros. One is still in this framework, said the spokesman. However, one expects further demands that "slowly trickle in". The district will submit an application for reimbursement of the costs to the state, the spokesman announced. But there is no final invoice yet.
In September, a fire on the Brocken kept the fire brigade in suspense for about a week. Up to eight fire-fighting helicopters and several fire-fighting planes fought the flames in the meantime. The fire triggered a debate about the causes of the recurring fires in the Harz Mountains.
