Fire brigade continues to extinguish in Grunewald: Autobahn before opening?

Created: 08/08/2022, 08:35

Plumes of smoke can be seen from Teufelsberg above Grunewald.

© Paul Zinken/dpa/archive image

The Berlin fire brigade continued its extinguishing work on the fire in Grunewald on Monday and will try to get closer to the blast site there during the course of the day.

The aim is to reduce the danger area, said a fire department spokesman in the morning.

The situation in the operational area is stable, but not yet under control.

Berlin – At a briefing planned for the morning, the emergency services on site wanted to reassess the situation.

Among other things, it should be discussed whether the Autobahn 115 - called Avus - which has been closed since Thursday can be released again or not.

Trains have been running again on the railway line, which runs parallel to the motorway but at a slightly greater distance from the forest fire, since Saturday.

The fire in Grunewald broke out on Thursday night.

There had been fire and explosions on the site of the detonation site, where tons of old grenades, ammunition and confiscated fireworks were stored in buildings.

The detonation site for the destruction of weapons and explosives has existed since 1950.

According to the fire brigade, the fire continues to burn in the forest, there are still several embers.

The emergency services observed the situation overnight, but no extinguishing work took place in the dark.

On the other hand, there are no longer any flames at the blasting site itself, where the fire is said to have started.

However, the ground is still very hot.

In view of the events, there is debate as to whether the explosive site, which has existed since 1950, is in the right place.

In the short term, Brandenburg will help out with the disposal of explosive ordnance, said Berlin's Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) on Sunday evening in the RBB "Abendschau".

When discussing long-term cooperation between the two countries in the disposal of explosive ordnance, Spranger said that after the current operation, the cause would first be clarified.

"I don't want to drive a 500-pound bomb for over 1.5 hours on any highway," she added.

70 years ago they thought something when choosing the location for the blasting site.

Since this is not close to residential areas, the safety of Berliners and the security forces can be guaranteed.

dpa