Disasters & Accidents

Firefighters tackle raging blaze at bomb disposal site in Berlin forest

Berlin, Aug 4 (EFE).- German firefighters were trying to extinguish a fire Thursday after an explosion at a bomb disposal site in the Grunewald forest in west Berlin, emergency services said.

The fire, which broke out during the night, has affected 1.5 hectares of the forest, the largest in the German capital that covers a total area of 4.5 hectares.

Firefighters were not able to access the depot but have cordoned off a 1,000-meter radius around the site, the Berlin fire service reported.

Roads and rail transport have been restricted in the surrounding area while the motorway that runs through the forest has been completely closed to traffic.

The bomb disposal site is used to detonate explosives and ammunition but these controlled operations are not carried out in the summer due to the heat.

Berlin is grappling with a heatwave with record-high temperatures and severe drought due to less rain this year. EFE

gc/mp/ch

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