The night when it suddenly became quiet
A perfectly normal winter day
It was 9 February 2024, just after 17:00. A perfectly ordinary winter’s day at Kirchwies – calm, clear, as so often. Until Walter and Rosamunde noticed a small plume of smoke by the barn. Nothing serious at first glance. So we quickly reached for the hose pipe – together with our guests, we tried to bring the smoke under control.
Moments that changed everything
But it soon became clear this was more serious. We called the fire brigade. By chance – or perhaps it was luck – a fireman was already on site, working as a carpenter on our Waldvilla and Tree Chalet. His first words: “Leave everything as it is – until the fire brigade arrives.”
And then everything happened very quickly.
Within just four minutes, the first fire engines were on site. Boards were opened – and suddenly flames flared up in the barn. The hay loft had caught fire.
An impressive team effort
What followed was an unforgettable team effort. Firefighters from Laion, Albions, Chiusa and Bressanone – over 100 personnel were deployed. Carabinieri, rescue workers. Everyone knew what to do.
Hannah let the animals out of the barn while the firefighters began using excavators to remove all the feed from the hayloft. Walter and Elias hauled it away with the tractor – metre by metre, hour by hour.
It was loud, intense, full of tension, and at the same time defined by a strong sense of togetherness.
Hours that felt like an eternity
It was only late that night that calm slowly returned. The flames were under control, the situation stable.
And then it became clear what was left: all the hay was destroyed.
But the barn was still standing. Everyone was unharmed, and all the animals were safe.
The quiet moments that followed
And then there was one small story that moved us in a special way.
Our cat Maja had hidden in the technical room out of fear and remained missing for days, until, after twelve days, guests suddenly heard a soft meow.
We found her – frail, exhausted, but alive. With patience, food and loving care, we brought her back to her normal self. A quiet yet very special moment.
Gratitude that stays with You
What remains most from that day is a deep sense of gratitude – for the volunteer fire brigades who were on site with incredible dedication, for the many helpers who returned again the next day, and for all the messages.
From guests, from friends, and even offers from Germany to organise and bring us feed.
Moments like that stay with You forever.
And what about today?
Today, the barn has been restored, renovated, rebuilt and ready for use once more.
When you pass by, You may no longer see any trace of that day.
But we know: it was one of those moments that stay with You, and one that showed us what truly matters.
