The Berlin fire brigade was able to prevent a catastrophe on Friday. A Diehl Group factory building was completely on fire, including toxic chemicals. A day later, the situation seems to be under control, but extinguishing the fire proves difficult.
The great fire in Berlin-Lichterfelde is still raging. Although the flames have now been brought under control, fires continue to arise under the rubble of the factory hall, the fire brigade announced on Saturday. Firefighting efforts are likely to last all day, it was said.
Of the original 170 firefighters, 50 are still on duty. The destroyed Diehl Group building is still inaccessible. Removal is only done from the outside. Emergency services have to demolish parts of the building to gain better access to the fire sources. Drones with thermal imaging cameras are also used.
The metal technology company went up in flames on Friday and a huge cloud of smoke had formed above West Berlin. The fire brigade took large-scale action and warned of possible health risks. At least one school was closed. Copper cyanide and sulfuric acid were stored in the hall, hydrogen cyanide may have formed during the fire, according to a fire brigade spokesperson.
Cause of the fire is unknown
According to the fire brigade, substances hazardous to health were only found in the air in the immediate vicinity of the fire location – and not in the smoke cloud that drifted towards the city center.
According to their own statements, the fire brigade also prevented chemical-contaminated fire water from flowing into the nearby Teltow Canal. The police do not yet have any information about the cause of the fire. According to the fire brigade, the fire started in a technical room on the first floor.
Armament operations not affected
The hall that burned down houses an electroplating company that produces, among other things, car parts. The Diehl Group is a major arms company that also supplies weapons to Ukraine. This led to speculation in the media and social networks. The company announced that no military equipment was produced at the Berlin factory.
Source: Krone
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