After an explosion at a blast site
Forest fire rages uncontrollably in Berlin
Columns of smoke over Berlin’s Grunewald, large-scale operation for the fire brigade: On Thursday morning, a fire broke out at a police detonation site in the south-west of the German capital – in the middle of a bone-dry forest.
On the Avus Autobahn in Berlin, where there is usually a line of cars next to cars during the morning rush hour, there is a yawning emptiness. The area is cordoned off over a large area due to a fire in Grunewald.
The fire continues to spread uncontrollably in the morning. “That worries us,” said a fire department spokesman on Thursday morning. There is still no reliable information regarding what it looks like at the police detonation site. There – in the middle of the dried up forest – the fire broke out on Thursday morning. Initially, an area of one and a half hectares was affected. There is a risk of further explosions and flying debris.
Scorching heat stressful for emergency services
This operation might be life-threatening, said a fire department spokesman. Ammunition is stored at the Berlin police detonation site in the popular Grunewald excursion area, which experts normally render harmless there.
This poses a major problem for the fire service. Hours following the fire broke out, firefighters mightn’t get to the fire. Pictures from the air with the help of a drone and a police helicopter should provide orientation. “The operation will take a long time,” said fire department spokesman Thomas Kirstein. In addition, the scorching heat is a strain on the fire brigade and police forces, who have to be replaced more frequently.
No injuries so far
Residential areas are not in danger according to the findings of the fire department. The nearest residential buildings are at least two kilometers away. So far there have been no injuries.
An explosion was heard by local residents early in the morning. According to a police spokesman, it is still unclear how this might have happened.
The authorities warned the population regarding the fire on the warning apps. Residents should keep windows and doors closed. Ventilation and air conditioning should be turned off. (SDA/noo)
