Fire in Cologne high-rise: smoke spreads to more than 40 floors

A fire broke out in a high-rise building in Cologne.

Many residents had to be evacuated.

Around 60 firefighters are on duty.

A fire broke out on Thursday evening in the Uni-Center in Cologne, which is considered one of the largest residential buildings in Europe.

Several callers reported smoke, which spread across all 42 floors, a fire department spokesman said.

50 to 60 residents were evacuated.

There are some minor injuries from smoke gas intoxication, several emergency doctors are on site.

The entire stairwell and all corridors would still be searched, the spokesman said.

A spokesman told the

that the emergency services had now located the source of the fire.

"The fire was extinguished around 9 p.m.," said the fire department spokesman.

The source of the fire is probably on the fourth floor, the cause of the fire is still unclear.

The first extinguishing measures are currently being carried out via the external staircase.

The fire brigade wants to avoid further smoke development inside the building.

A fire department spokesman told 24RHEIN.de that 50 people went outside themselves after noticing the smoke.

Among the residents, 14 were slightly injured by smoke inhalation.

However, they do not have to be transported further, the spokesman said.

Fire in the Uni-Center Cologne: fire brigade in action in one of the largest residential buildings in Europe

The emergency services are still looking for people in the building.

The 135 meter high residential building has 968 apartments in three wings.

Around 2000 people live in the 50-year-old house.

How the fire started was still unclear in the evening.

The basement rooms on the fourth floor would be searched.

The fire brigade spokesman told

that there was a fire in one of the basement compartments .

This is complex because it is a very large area and many things have been parked there.

The fire was reported to have been reported around 6:40 p.m.

According to the spokesman, 55 to 60 firefighters are deployed.

The operation causes traffic obstructions in the affected area on Luxemburger Straße.

(dpa/fmü)