Blasts Ring Out As Fires Rage In Berlin Forest
Faizan Hashmi Published August 04, 2022 | 05:30 PM
Berlin, Aug 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Aug, 2022 ) :A huge fire broke out Thursday in a popular forest in western Berlin next to a police munitions storage site, sending plumes of smoke into the skies and setting off intermittent explosions.
The army sent in a tank aimed at evacuating munitions at the affected storage site as well as remote-controlled de-mining robots, while drones were circling the air to help assess the emergency.
The situation is "extremely extraordinary with munitions," said Berlin fire brigade spokesman Thomas Kirstein, adding that it was "under control and there was no danger for Berliners." The fire was however expected to last for some time, he said.
Firefighters called to the site in the middle of the night were confronted with intermittent blasts that sent debris flying and hindered their work.
They have so far been able to begin tackling only two of the four hotspots across the affected area of 15,000 square metres (161,500 square feet), as explosions at the munitions store were still rocking the area.
No one has been hurt by the fires, which came on a day when a new heatwave was due to envelop Germany.
Officials have built a security cordon to allow firefighters to start working around a kilometre from the ammunition storage zone.
The store holds munitions uncovered by police, but also unexploded World War 2-era ordnance which is regularly dug up during construction works.
Police said they were investigating what set off the fire.
Authorities appealed for the public to avoid the forest, popular with both locals and tourists, as several regional rail lines have been halted.
But authorities said no firefighting choppers were available as they were already in use to calm forest fires in eastern Germany.
- Heatwave - The German capital is rarely hit by forest fires, even though its 29,000 hectares of forests make it one of the greenest cities in the world.
Brandenburg, the region surrounding Berlin, as well as parts of eastern Germany have for days been battling forest fires.
Scientists say climate change is making heatwaves around the world more frequent and more intense, which increases the risk of fires.
Temperatures are expected to climb as high as 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) across parts of Germany on Thursday. In Berlin, they are predicted to reach 38C.
After a scorching Thursday, heavy thunderstorms are due to sweep into the country from the west on Friday, the German weather service said.
A cold front is predicted to bring temperatures down by more than 10 degrees overnight in western Germany, falling to around 20-25 degrees on Friday.
Recent Stories
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
Governor for service oriented governance in Punjab
Survivors tell of panic at C.Africa river boat disaster
Enrolment campaign, awareness walk held in Lower Chitral
“Say no to plastic- yes to tress” campaign kicks off in Attock
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
1 day ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
2 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
2 days ago -
Cattle farming vital to alleviate poverty in rural areas
2 days ago -
Pakistan: A land of tourism, archeological wonders
2 days ago -
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
4 days ago
-
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
8 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
9 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
12 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
14 days ago -
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
16 days ago