In the southwest of Berlin, two hectares of a forest where ammunition is stored have been burning since night. Because of the risk of explosion, the fire brigade cannot approach the source of the fire.
The forest fire has spread to an area of about two hectares.
First there was an explosion, numerous detonations, then the fire started. There has been a fire in Berlin’s Grunewald since Thursday morning and the fire brigade cannot put it out because there is an ammunition depot in the middle of the fire and the use would be life-threatening – more explosive devices could go up in the air at any time. So firefighters are now trying to water the edges of the fire to prevent it from spreading. The forest is bone dry as a result of the heat and drought and burns accordingly well. It is located in the southwest of Berlin and is usually a popular local recreation area.
Around noon, the fire brigade identified three to four embers from the air using a drone. “But we can’t fight them yet because they are in the danger area,” said a fire department spokesman for the n-tv broadcaster. Because of the risk of explosion, the fire brigade drew a blocking circle of around 1000 meters around the fire.
Putting out the fire will take time. In Berlin it’s 38 degrees, the firefighters in full gear can’t last long in this heat and have to be replaced more often.
At the detonation site, the explosive ordnance clearance service of the police normally checks so-called found ammunition, 34 tons last year alone. It is estimated that there are still 4,600 unexploded bombs in Berlin soil. However, precisely because of the risk of fire from the persistent heat, the controlled demolition was last suspended. The ammunition was only collected to be able to defuse it later. Now the very danger which one had wanted to avert has materialized.
Residential areas are not in danger according to the findings of the fire department. The nearest residential buildings are at least two kilometers away. So far there have been no injuries.
Update: large-volume water supply over long distances and locking position on the blocking circuit are set up. Air support is provided by a police helicopter and a drone. A fire-fighting helicopter and armored vehicles from the Bundeswehr were requested. pic.twitter.com/5Zxap8u3HT
— Berlin Fire Department (@Berliner_Fw) August 4, 2022
Westbound regional and S-Bahn services have been suspended, and the nearby Avus motorway has been closed in both directions.
First it was said that a firefighting helicopter could not be requested because it was already needed for the forest fires in Saxony – there has been a fire in the Saxon Switzerland National Park for more than a week. At noon, the Berlin fire brigade was able to report that a fire-fighting helicopter had been requested, as well as special fire-fighting tanks from the Bundeswehr.
According to the police, around 25 tons of fireworks or World War II ammunition, among other things, were stored at the detonation site. According to the police, the square is eight hectares in size and was created in 1950. Controlled demolitions are scheduled there twice a year for several days.