‘Hazard’ warning in Hamburg as cloud with possible ‘chemical components’ drifts towards city centre
People have been advised to avoid the affected area and residents have been told to close windows and doors. Multiple police, fire and other emergency workers were at the scene as a thick cloud of smoke billowed upwards.
Sunday 9 April 2023 12:52, UK
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Hamburg’s fire brigade has issued a “hazard” warning as a cloud possibly containing “chemical components” drifts towards the city centre.
The German city’s authorities are advising people to avoid the area and told residents to close doors, windows and ventilation.
It comes after a fire at a storage facility in the Rothenburgsort district that forced 140 people to evacuate.
Police say it is not possible to say how dangerous the situation is.
Pic: Reuters
Multiple police, fire and other emergency workers were at the scene as a thick cloud of smoke billowed upwards.
There are no reports of any casualties.
Local public broadcaster NDR reported that the fire broke out at 4.30am at a truck stop.
Huge flames rise from a fire in Hamburg. Pic: Reuters
Several buildings have been on fire in Hamburg-Rothenburgsort since the early hours of the morning. Pic: Reuters
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Pic: AP
‘Hazard information’
A spokesman for the fire brigade told NDR Hamburg’s city centre was “completely blacked out” when the fire broke out.
Hamburg police issued a “hazard information” warning and recommended residents “drive around the affected area as far as possible.”
Pic: Reuters
Police walk along the tracks of Hamburg-Rothenburgsort station, while flames of a large fire can be seen in the background. Pic: AP
Image:
Police walk along the tracks of Hamburg-Rothenburgsort station. Pic: AP
On Sunday morning the national railway company Deutsche Bahn also announced a closure between Hamburg and Buchen due to the fire.
The railway said trains between Hamburg and Berlin will be diverted and delayed by around 90 minutes.
