Enlarge image
Emergency services in front of the Cologne Uni-Center: clouds of smoke on 40 floors
Photo: Rolf Vennenbernd / dpa
14 people were slightly injured in a fire in the Uni-Center in Cologne, which is one of the largest residential buildings in Europe, on Thursday evening.
The smoke had spread over all 42 floors, said a fire department spokesman.
50 to 60 residents were evacuated.
The emergency services would have searched the entire stairwell and all corridors.
The 135 meter high residential building has 968 apartments in three wings.
Around 2000 people live in the 50-year-old house.
According to the fire department, the slightly injured had slight symptoms of smoke inhalation.
Apparently, however, no one had to go to the hospital.
The fire broke out in a basement compartment on the fourth floor.
Several people called 911 and reported the smoke.
According to the spokesman, the search for the scene of the fire was difficult.
The basement is a very large area where many things have been placed.
Up to 60 firefighters extinguished the fire a good two hours after the emergency calls.
Residents were able to return to the building.
Further details on the cause and the extent of the damage were not initially known.
phw/dpa
