© AP
There is a risk of toxic smoke developing during a fire in a factory of a German metal processing company on Friday. The fire brigade is currently asking residents of a large part of the German capital to keep windows and doors closed.
The fire started on Friday afternoon at a branch of Diehl Metal Applications, a subsidiary of the Diehl group – that company also produces an air defense system for Ukraine. The four-storey building has completely burned down and 160 firefighters are on site to bring the fire under control. It is not yet clear how the fire started, but no injuries were reported.
The plume of smoke above the factory in southwest Berlin is blown north by the wind. The fire brigade therefore asks residents to avoid the area surrounding the company, keep windows and doors closed, and turn off ventilation and air conditioning. Surrounding schools have been evacuated.
“We can confirm that there are also chemicals in the building, which are currently burning up,” said Berlin Fire Department spokesman Adrian Wenzel. “It concerns sulfuric acid and copper cyanide. There is a risk that hydrogen cyanide will form and rise into the air together with the smoke.”
© REUTERS
© REUTERS
© AP
© REUTERS
© AP