In Berlin, the risk of toxic clouds averted after the impressive fire at a Diehl metallurgical factory

GERMANY – Serious concern in and around the German capital. A thick black cloud rises in the Berlin sky this Friday, May 3, because of the fire at a factory of the industrialist Diehl. According to German media, more than 180 firefighters were mobilized to contain and control the flames which ravaged several floors of this metallurgical metal processing factory, located west of Berlin, in the Berlin-Lichtefelde district.

At this stage, however, the Berlin firefighters did not report any injuries among the employees and the evacuation of the premises of this 2,000m² building took place without incident. Only one firefighter suffered discomfort due to the very high heat released by the fire since the end of the morning.

According to a fire department spokesperson quoted by the World, the company’s premises are completely ravaged by flames and certain parts have already collapsed, raising fears of a long fight against the fire. Firefighters from Berlin airport were also called in as reinforcements, when the fire could no longer be fought from inside the factory.

Warned by the population

Another Source of concern according to Bild, the presence of chemicals such as sulfuric acid and copper cyanide stored in this factory.

Faced with the risk for Berliners, the firefighters and the city quickly warned of the dangers that this toxic smoke could cause, but at the end of the day, a spokesperson for the firefighters was reassuring. At the microphone of RBB, German public television, he indicated that the warning had been issued “ as a precaution ” and ” current measures » suggest “ that there is no increase in values ​​and that there is currently no acute danger “.

THE Berliner Zeitung also indicates that only the immediate surroundings of the factory have recorded a sharp increase in the level of air pollution in recent hours.

However, the trajectory of this smoke cloud is closely studied depending on weather conditions and wind direction. The firefighters thus announced that the “gaz of smoke moves from the site towards the north “. A map has been published to allow residents to take precautions.

Among the instructions given by the emergency services, it is very strongly recommended that residents present in the risk area “ keep windows and doors closed “, of ” turn off the air conditioning ” and D'” avoid smoky areas ” until further notice.

To avoid any risk, the German press also indicates that the students will be sent home without delay.

Diehl, a vital company for Ukraine

If Michael Nitz, a Diehl spokesperson, indicates that this factory is mainly dedicated to the design of parts for the automobile industry, the Berliner Zeitung specifies that the complex also houses a branch of Diehl Defense, a branch of the German industrialist dedicated to armaments. Which notably produces the IRIS-T air defense system, a program delivered by Germany to Ukraine to defend against Russian strikes on its territory since February 24, 2022 and the start of the Russian invasion.

The IRIS-T air defense system is also at the heart of the European defense strategy as Germany and 19 other countries are working on the design of a European anti-missile shield, ” European Sky Shield » based on these missile batteries. According to the Diehl spokesperson quoted earlier, “ no military equipment is produced in the Berlin factory » engulfed in flames.

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