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Berlin's Grunewald is on fire over an area of around 15,000 square meters
Photo: IMAGO/Christian Ender
This article will be continuously updated.
Giffey arrived at the scene of the fire
2:20 p.m .:
Berlin’s governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) arrived at the scene of the fire to get an idea of the situation.
Fire brigade: The fire could keep us busy for days
1.45 p.m .:
The Berlin fire brigade is preparing for a long operation.
The fire may keep the emergency services busy for the next few days, said fire department spokesman Thomas Kirstein: "But we will extinguish the fire."
The cause of the fire is still unclear.
It is not known whether there was an explosion at the police detonation site in Grunewald or whether there had already been a fire.
According to the police, around 25 tons, including fireworks and World War I ammunition, are stored at the detonation site.
Experts usually render them harmless there.
»Large-volume water supply« set up
1.30 p.m .:
The Berlin fire brigade sends an update on the situation.
Accordingly, a “large-volume water supply over long distances” has been set up.
Due to the danger of explosions, the fire brigade has not yet been able to advance to the source of the fire.
Air support will initially be provided by a police helicopter and a drone.
"A fire-fighting helicopter and armored vehicles from the Bundeswehr were requested," it said on Twitter.
Special robot to observe fire
1:39 p.m .:
A remote-controlled special robot from the Bundeswehr is to be used in the afternoon.
Equipped with four cameras and a gripper arm, the robot can get closer to the area of the fire, said Brigadier General Jürgen Karl Uchtmann.
In this way, a clearer picture of the situation can be created.
On the question of a possible deployment of a Bundeswehr fire-fighting helicopter, Uchtmann said that it currently does not make sense over the ammunition-loaded area.
The helicopter would have to fly so high that it would not be able to adequately extinguish it from the air.
It must also be prevented that ammunition might "take the helicopter out of the sky".
Giffey cancels vacation
12.50 p.m .:
Berlin’s governing mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) interrupted her vacation to get an idea of the situation on site in the afternoon.
This was announced by Interior Senator Spranger on site.
Interior Senator: No danger for residents
12.49 p.m .:
“What is important to me: that the safety of Berliners is not endangered and that is the case here”: Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) said at the site of the operation.
There are no toxic objects that could pose a hazard.
"In that respect, I can reassure you for now." The safety radius of around one kilometer was also drawn with a view to the residents.
Spranger thanked the emergency services of the fire brigade, police and army.
Already last autumn, the forest area was cleared of easily combustible materials such as undergrowth or dead wood, so that fires could not spread so easily.
The Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) interrupted her vacation to get an idea of the situation on site in the afternoon.
A first overview of the situation from midday can be found here.
sak/dpa
