A major fire broke out at a metal technology company in Berlin-Lichterfelde, causing a huge smoke cloud over the western part of the city. Albrecht Broemme, former president of the THW, discusses the possible cause of the fire on WELT TV, suggesting that a technical defect is likely in such an operation. Berlin residents received warnings on their phones about the fire, which resulted in strong odors in the surrounding area. Investigations for suspected negligent arson have been initiated.
The large fire at a Diehl technology company in Berlin-Lichterfelde appears to have been caused by an accident. The Berlin police spokeswoman stated that there are currently “no indications of sabotage or an attack.” The fire, which quickly spread on Friday morning, affected a galvanizing plant for the automotive industry where hazardous substances were stored. Fortunately, all employees were able to evacuate the site on their own, and no injuries were reported. The building is believed to have been severely damaged and is at risk of collapsing.
The fire broke out in a technical room on the first floor of the factory building, leading to the formation of a huge smoke cloud over the western part of the city. Concerns arose about toxic gases, but the fire department reassured residents that the smoke cloud was not harmful. The damaged building is set to undergo a controlled demolition starting on Tuesday, as it is no longer safe. Speculations about an attack or sabotage as possible causes of the fire circulated online due to Diehl’s involvement in the production of defense systems.
Diehl Metall is working diligently to resume operations in Berlin-Lichterfelde as soon as possible, with plans to rebuild the hall or relocate production to another facility based on the expert’s assessment. The company’s armament division, known for producing the Iris-T air defense system used in defense against Russian air attacks in Ukraine, is committed to maintaining the business in the area. The fire has raised questions about the safety measures in place at industrial facilities and the potential risks associated with storing hazardous materials in such buildings. The authorities continue to investigate the incident to determine the exact cause of the fire and prevent similar incidents in the future.
