On Thursday June 13, shortly before 9:30 a.m., the Uri cantonal police were informed that a fire had broken out in a building on Gurtenmundstrasse in Altdorf. When first responders arrived on site, they noticed a lot of smoke coming from the attic of accommodation for asylum seekers.
23 people were evacuated. Thanks to the efforts of the Altdorf firefighters, with the support of the Schattdorf and Seedorf firefighters, the SBB and the Schwyz base firefighters, the fire was brought under control. However, work to extinguish the flames is currently still underway. Due to suspected smoke intoxication, two people had to be treated by the emergency services and then transported to the Uri cantonal hospital. Another person was slightly injured.
The cause of the fire and the exact amount of material damage are being investigated by the Uri cantonal police.
Following the fire, new accommodation had to be found for around 43 people. This work is carried out under the direction of the Asylum and Refugees Service of the Swiss Red Cross. The first housing units have already been allocated. The goal is for everyone to have a roof over their heads and a place to sleep tonight.
