Fire department sees ‘enormous danger’ at explosive site – train is running again
The fire at the blast site in Berlin’s Grunewald forest continues to pose a threat to the area. Of The lockdown around the fire will likely remain for a few more days.. At the same time, there is first loosening.
Despite the initial effect of the extinguishing measures, the fire in the Grunewald forest in Berlin remains from the firefighters’ point of view. “enormous danger”. What’s been there since the fire started on Thursday A 1000 meter safety zone around the site will continue to be maintained.
On Saturday, however, there was relief for rail traffic: In consultation with the police, the fire department cleared the train route at the edge of the restricted zone. With that you can both local public transport and long-distance transport will resume en route. The railway line runs between the main train stations in Berlin and Potsdam. S-Bahn trains were affected, as were regional, IC and ICE trains.
According to a spokesperson, rail traffic should gradually resume. Highway 115, called Avus, will remain closed until at least Sundaywhich runs parallel to the tracks a little closer to the danger zone.
The Fire Department waits The containment circle around the fire will remain in place for a few more days. becomes. “The extinguishing measures at the explosion site and the cooling measures for these three hot spots, which were defined by the explosives expert, are having an effect,” fire brigade spokesman Thomas Kirstein said Saturday in Berlin. Now it’s a matter of Ensure reliable space cooling.
“Even if we free up rail traffic, the external barriers will remain in place,” said Kirstein. The The situation at the explosion site is not yet under control.. “Of course, there is enormous danger there,” says Kirstein. Armored vehicles and robots are used there for cooling. were on friday measured up to 700 degrees I have been. Kirstein declined to provide any information about further measurements. “It’s under constant surveillance,” he said.
Susanne Bauer, head of the Berlin Police Forensic Institute, resigned Explorations at the explosion site about. “We’ve come in with a secured vehicle to see what’s on the main route to the blast site so we can send the fire extinguishing robot there.” Areas that are still warm should be cooled. “Then the situation will be reassessed,” Bauer said.
For the Cause of fire and explosions she could not specified I do. “Now it’s about security.” Look for hazards that emergency services have to deal with. “We can analyze the cause when the explosion site is cleared and we can go there with the investigators.”
The fire brigade managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding forest. “We keep putting smaller fire nests,” Kirstein said. The situation immediately around the blasting site must be constantly reassessed, for example, whether it is also possible to use the fire brigade. “But that first requires a little more security at the detonation site.”
At the night to saturday have it no more explosions given more, it was said. Remotely controlled robots to explore the exclusion zone were withdrawn due to the more relaxed situation at night. Work continued on Saturday. The fire brigade and a special company used a fire fighting vehicle.
The fire started Thursday night at the site of the explosion. Tons of old grenades, ammunition and confiscated fireworks were stored in buildings at the site. Explosions could be heard, fire spread throughout the day in the dry forest area. The blasting site for the destruction of weapons and explosives has existed since 1950. The responsibility now lies with the police.
In the debate on alternative locations, the deputy head of the SPD parliamentary group in Brandenburg, Inka Gossmann-Reetz, was skeptical. The area around Berlin is now very densely populated, she said on rbb24 info radio. “Here we too (…) have to be very careful not to put people here in greater danger.” Transport and vibrations are high risk.
But she understands that Berlin Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) is looking for a conversation with Brandenburg. Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) will have an open ear here, the lawmaker said. (dpa)