Randers firefighters receive award after saving 16 lives

Firefighters who evacuated 45 residents from a burning apartment building in Randers and saved 16 lives have received Denmark’s Rescue Preparedness Award, DR reports.

The fire began at a waste container in a parking deck beneath an apartment building in central Randers in September 2025. It spread to several cars, and smoke entered the building, where 45 people were inside.

Rune Grøndahl, a firefighter in Langå, was called out shortly before 3am to assist with what was initially reported as a rubbish-bin fire. When he and his colleagues arrived, they learned that people inside could not get out because smoke had blocked the exits.

Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the building with extra masks that could be connected to their equipment, allowing residents to breathe as they were led through smoke-filled rooms. All 45 residents were evacuated. Around 47 firefighters, an incident commander and two scene commanders from Beredskab & Sikkerhed, Falck and East Jutland Fire Service took part, alongside police and medical personnel.

The award was presented on 2 October by Minister for Societal Security and Emergency Preparedness Lisbeth Bech-Nielsen. The recipients are also due to be honoured at Randers Town Hall on Wednesday.

Grøndahl said the recognition meant a lot, adding that firefighters often move quickly on to their next callout. He said the scale of the night’s work only became clear once the operation was over.

A 33-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison on 15 September this year for aggravated arson in connection with the fire. The rescue operation was the largest in the history of Beredskab & Sikkerhed.