Firefighter Anton Machmüller Recounts Terrifying Experience at Lerchenau Incident
Munich, October 1, 2025 – Firefighter Anton Machmüller (36) from the Harthof volunteer fire department faced his most dangerous mission yet when he was the first rescuer on the scene at a burning house in Munich’s Lerchenau district. Machmüller narrowly escaped a booby trap that had been set by an assailant at the property.
The incident occurred on October 1, 2025, at Glockenblumenstraße 14. Machmüller and his seven colleagues arrived around 5 AM to find the house engulfed in flames. The property was the scene of a violent rampage by Martin P. (57), who had reportedly stormed his parents’ home, killed his 90-year-old father, injured his mother and daughter, and then set the house on fire. The severity of the incident even led to the closure of the Oktoberfest.
First Responders Discover Injured Mother and Booby Trap
Upon arrival, Machmüller’s team quickly discovered Martin P.’s mother lying on the terrace, partially under a roller shutter and with a gunshot wound to her chest. The interior of the house was visibly on fire. The firefighters immediately moved her to safety, carefully backing through the garden gate.
It was during this critical moment that Machmüller’s foot became entangled in a wire. “There was a bucket attached to it. Later, we were told that there was a booby trap inside. Fortunately, it wasn’t properly connected,” Machmüller recounted, highlighting the extreme danger they faced.
Further Explosives and Commendation for Bravery
The firefighters, prioritizing their own safety, focused on extinguishing the fire from outside the property. This decision proved to be crucial, as further investigation revealed a self-firing device and additional booby traps hidden in the garden. “At the back of the garden, there was another self-firing device, and elsewhere, more booby traps,” Machmüller confirmed.
After approximately four hours, Machmüller and his team were relieved. He stated that the firefighters have coped well with the traumatic experience, attributing it to the excellent support provided by the Munich fire department. Machmüller, an engineer at the airport by profession, has served as a volunteer firefighter for 21 years, making this his most perilous assignment.
During a New Year’s reception on Thursday, Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) publicly praised Machmüller, representing all firefighters, for their exceptional bravery. “Rescuers like him are the reason why Munich residents can feel safe,” Reiter stated. “A remarkable approach. Despite this madness, he is still a firefighter. Hats off to him.”
The incident underscores the immense risks faced by emergency services personnel and the critical importance of their training and the support systems in place to help them cope with such harrowing experiences.
