Fire and Several Audible Explosions Near kurfürstenstraße

 



Starting around 08:30 local time I heard an initial explosion and took the first picture of this building.  The initial explosion was followed by 3 to 4 additional explosions of different size, with the shockwave of the largest being felt at my location.  For reference, the picture was taken with 5x zoom.  I can't find any details yet on what has happened, but sirens have been heading toward the area all morning.  I believe I heard some sirens before the blast, possibly indicating a fire had started before the first explosion, but I didn't realize the event was taking place until I was startled by the first loud explosion.


Update: 09:18 - The smoke is decreasing rapidly, and there have been no further explosions.  It does appear the fire fighting teams are struggling to get water higher into the building with the equipment that has currently arrived at the scene. I have not witnessed any air support for the fire.  Currently the seem to be limited to long reach fire truck ladders, plus the distance water can be sprayed from there.  That seems to be coming short at least 10-20 meters of the fire's source.


Update 09:44 - Fire fighters can now be seen on the roof and the smoke is decreasing.  They appear to me to be getting control of the situation and there is a large number of them near the seen and I could see at least 6 present on the roof of the building in addition to more ladder traucks with longer reach arriving at the scene.


Update 10:17 - Smoke appears to have completely stopped from the building, though firefighting operations continue with water being visibly sprayed onto the building still.  It does appear from my position to be fully under control now.

Location: Kurfürstenstraße, Berlin

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