Status: 04/09/2023 09:11 a.m
The Hamburg fire brigade responded to a major fire on Billstrasse in Rothenburgsort early on Sunday morning. Residents should keep windows and doors closed.
According to the fire brigade, the fire broke out at 4:30 a.m. at a truck stop, which is now completely on fire. A column of smoke hangs over the site of the fire, a cloud of smoke moves in the direction of the city centre. According to initial investigations, hydrogen sulfide is leaking on site. There are always detonations. Firefighters can only enter the premises with respirators. The fire brigade is on site with a total of six fire engines and uses several turntable ladders.
Official warning issued
The emergency services wear respiratory masks on site.
In a official warning the fire and smoke development was classified as “Extreme Danger”. The population could be affected “by smoke gases and chemical components in the air we breathe”. Residents in a large area in the north-east of Hamburg are being asked to keep windows and doors closed and to protect themselves from the smoke. Air conditioning or ventilation should also be exhibited.
The interior authority sent the warning in the morning via the warning apps KATWARN and NINA. The cell broadcast warning system was also triggered.
Fire affects train traffic
The Brandststätte is located near the Rothenburgsort S-Bahn station.
The Deutsche Bahn announced in the morning that the tracks between Hamburg and Büchen had to be closed due to the fire. According to Bahn, IC, EC and ICE trains between Hamburg and Berlin will be diverted and will be delayed by around 60 minutes. The stops in Hamburg-Bergedorf, Büchen, Ludwigslust and Wittenberge are omitted. The IC and ICE trains between Hamburg and Rostock are cancelled.
The S-Bahn Hamburg closed the route between Berliner Tor and Billwerder-Moorfleet in both directions because of the fire brigade operation. According to the information, a replacement service has been set up.
Cause of fire still unclear
The fire brigade was initially unable to provide any information on how the major fire could have happened on Easter Eve or what exactly is in the burning warehouses.
