Fires are relatively common yet underreported occurrences in chemical laboratories, but their consequences can be devastating. Here we describe our first-hand experience of a savage laboratory fire, highlighting the detrimental effects that it had on the research group and the lessons learned.
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Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Q. Song (Imperial College London) who suggested we write this article, the process of which served as a somewhat therapeutic exercise. We also acknowledge V. Biegler, L. Brandfellner, Q. Jiang, A. Mautner, F. Mayer, A. Menner and H. W. Müller for their assistance during recovery efforts. Special thanks are also given to the Viennese Fire Brigade, the disaster recovery and restoration company, and all colleagues from Vienna but especially from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria and around the world who reached out to offer their help.
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Jones, M.P., Weiland, K., Mitterer, C. et al. Insights from a laboratory fire. Nat. Chem. 15, 885–889 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01254-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-023-01254-6