A week after the sudden death of Pastor Mark Trebing, the historic rectory in Bodenfelde, where Trebing lived with his wife and two almost grown children, caught fire on Tuesday afternoon. The residents alerted the fire department and police when flames were seen shooting meters high from the roof of the half-timbered house on Bleekstraße around 4 pm. Firefighters from Bodenfelde, Lippoldsberg, and Uslar (with a turntable ladder) worked to extinguish the flames with water from numerous hoses, once it was confirmed that no one was inside the house. Neighbors knew that the widow and children were staying with relatives, and the parish office was also empty.
Police cordoned off the area around the fire site, preventing curious onlookers from entering the danger zone with caution tape. The former town hall, now the Café Ambiente, was protected by firefighters with water to prevent the flames from spreading. Hose lines for the firefighting water were laid from the Weser River up to the rectory above the bank. Residents in the town center were advised to keep doors and windows closed due to the heavy smoke.
According to Deputy Bodenfelde Fire Chief Sven Koschol, around 100 firefighters and emergency services personnel were involved in the operation for their safety. The Uslar police had not yet determined the cause of the fire on Tuesday afternoon. A fire investigator was called to the scene by the officers and would begin work once it was safe to do so. The police could not provide an estimate of the damage caused by the fire and firefighting efforts, but it was believed to be several hundred thousand euros.
The loss of the historic rectory in Bodenfelde is a devastating blow to the community, especially coming so soon after the pastor’s passing. The investigation into the cause of the fire will hopefully provide some answers and closure for the residents. The outpouring of support from the emergency services and the community shows the strength and resilience of Bodenfelde in the face of tragedy. It is a reminder of the importance of coming together in times of need to support one another and rebuild what has been lost.