Explosions and fires in a building worth 115 million euros in Berlin
Powerful explosions and a massive fire on Monday morning caused panic in Berlin, as a huge column of smoke rose into the cloudless sky of the city. The event occurred at a construction site called "John Jahr Haus" in the Berlin-Mitte area, at a height of about 70 meters, posing a significant challenge for emergency services.
The fire started on the roof of the 17-story building, according to reports from German media, and fire crews were called at 8:26 AM. Eyewitnesses reported hearing several explosions, which were felt even in neighboring buildings. It was later revealed that the explosions were caused by compressed gas canisters stored on the roof, which ignited during the fire. Fortunately, no one was injured, and construction workers were able to safely leave the building using an external elevator.
The police and fire department dealt with the fire in a massive operation, but the height of the fire site made it difficult for them to access it using aerial ladders, forcing them to enter the building from the inside and climb the stairs to reach the source of the flames. One speaker described the task as a "great challenge" due to the need for significant physical effort and a large number of personnel. Although the fire was concentrated on the roof, thermal images indicated the possibility of flames extending to other floors, as it is believed that burning parts may have fallen down.
The new building being constructed on Kurfürstenstraße, near Lützowplatz, is set to replace the "Constanze Pressehaus" and is expected to cost around 115 million euros. It will include offices and residential apartments distributed over 17 floors.
.