Since the start of production: the fire alarm system at Tesla in Brandenburg is not working

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Construction site of the battery factory in Grünheide, Brandenburg: fire alarm system and sprinklers do not work

Photo: Patrick Pleul / dpa

In the factory of the US electric car manufacturer Tesla in Grünheide, the fire alarm system and sprinklers have not worked since the start of production.

That said the head of construction and environment of the responsible district of Oder-Spree, Sascha Gehm.

The "Märkische Oderzeitung" had previously reported.

The authorities are aware that the plant is not in operation.

Tesla is therefore working on the basis of a preliminary fire protection concept that has been approved by the authorities, said Gehm.

Eight employees are on duty around the clock as fire guards and for patrols in the factory.

In addition, fire engines are stationed at three locations in the hall.

"Fire protection is secured," said Gehm.

However, the automatic fire alarm system and the sprinklers distributed in the production hall should be put into operation as soon as possible.

It was clear that a plant of this size would gradually be ramped up, said Gehm.

Tesla has not yet commented.

The factory in Grünheide was opened around six months ago.

Part of the site is in the drinking water protection area.

The Brandenburg Nature Conservation Union reacted with criticism.

Spokeswoman Christiane Schröder said that "makeshift things" were not enough.

The district is also overwhelmed with the controls.

Environmentalists have long seen problems with groundwater protection.

Paper and wood waste caught fire on the Tesla site on Monday.

Since the extinguishing agent got into the ground, soil samples were examined.

According to the district, a result was still pending.

Tesla also has to shut down the waste storage area for the time being according to a state decree.

ani/dpa