A toxic cloud hangs over Berlin after a chemical factory fire, with firefighters warning that deadly hydrogen cyanide could develop.
Fire officials said sulfuric acid and copper cyanide were stored at the plant and the chemicals ignited, causing hydrogen cyanide to form.
People were warned to close all windows, stay indoors and turn off ventilation units after the fire hit the company that supplies weapons to Ukraine.
The state of Berlin has issued an official danger warning and urged people to stay away from the area as the cloud of smoke is already spreading across almost the entire western part of the city.
The fire is raging at Diehl Metal Applications in the Berlin district of Lichterfelde, a sister company of the Diehl Defense group, manufacturer of the deadly IRIS-T missiles.
A toxic cloud hangs over Berlin after a fire at a chemical factory, with firefighters warning that deadly hydrogen cyanide could develop
People were warned to close all windows, stay indoors and turn off ventilation units after the fire hit the company that supplies weapons to Ukraine
The fire took place at Diehl Metal Applications in Berlin’s Lichterfelde district, a sister company of the Diehl Defense group, manufacturer of the deadly IRIS-T, which also has its headquarters on the same street.
In the building on fire, the company reportedly operates a proprietary galvanization system for refining metal surfaces in the building
Diehl Defense is headquartered on the same street as the burning building. Diehl Metal Applications reportedly operates a proprietary electroplating system for refining metal surfaces in the building that is on fire.
‘The building has now completely burned down on four floors. Part of the building has already collapsed,” Adrian Wenzel, spokesman for the Berlin Fire Brigade and on the scene at the scene of the fire, told the German tabloid Image.
He added: “We are only trying to extinguish the fire from outside. The fire can no longer be controlled from the inside.’
Local outlet Berliner Zeitung reported that several explosions were heard at the scene.
There are currently 190 firefighters on site, wearing protective suits.
Students and teachers from nearby schools have been sent home as a precaution and several shops in the area have also been closed.
There is currently no information available about the cause of the fire, but according to the fire brigade spokesperson, no injuries were reported.
The operation to control the blaze is expected to last into the night after firefighters have struggled to control the blaze since it broke out at around 10:30 am local time. Parts of the building have reportedly collapsed.