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Extinguishing work at the fire site in Essen
Photo: Bernd Thissen / dpa
The extinguishing work on a largely burned-down residential complex in Essen is being continued.
Around two-thirds of the building cannot currently be entered for safety reasons, said a fire department spokesman.
Statics experts warned that "large parts of the block of flats" were in danger of collapsing.
It is unclear if and when the building can be entered again.
It is also difficult to predict how long it will take to delete.
The fire could "flare up again and again inside and last for days," the spokesman said.
The fire brigade had the fire under control on Monday morning, but there are always fire spots.
No statements can be made about the extent of the damage and even more about the cause of the fire, since the fire experts are not yet allowed into the building.
The fire, fanned by the strong wind, triggered one of the largest firefighting operations in Essen's history.
Practically the entire professional fire brigade of the city of 580,000 inhabitants - around 150 people - were on duty.
The orphaned fire stations in the city area have been filled by members of the volunteer fire brigade.
Three people were injured in the fire.
According to an initial assessment by the city, 35 apartments burned down completely, and others were damaged.
128 people lost their homes.
Most found their own accommodation.
The housing company Vivawest, as the owner of the complex, offered those who could not find private accommodation hotel rooms and, in the long term, the brokerage of replacement or transitional apartments.
According to initial findings, a fire broke out on a balcony, as the Essen fire brigade announced.
Fanned by the storm "Antonia", the fire spread from there "rapidly" across the facade and balconies that were exposed to the wind.
The storm continued to accelerate the fire.
The flames eventually penetrated the apartments through shattered window panes and destroyed "everything" in them.
According to the fire brigade, the heat even caused damage to buildings 15 meters away: the heat radiation caused roller shutters to melt and windows to burst.
Because of the smoke, the Essen fire brigade warned residents to close windows and doors.
Two roads were completely closed.
There were some power outages in neighboring houses.
ala/dpa/AFP