A fire broke out at a chemical plant in Memmingen, Germany on 23rd January, 1997. The building, which was devastated by the fire, accommodated two chemical industries and a vacant warehouse. By confining the fire the rescue services were able to save one of the industries. The rest of the building was completely destroyed by the fire. The company had an abundance of flammable and toxic chemicals that contaminated the water that was used to extinguish the fire as well as giving rise to toxic combustion gases.