City highway closed: Explosion at the blast site causes a fire in Grunewald

In Berlin's Grunewald, the police operate a detonation site where found ammunition is destroyed in a controlled manner.

City highway closed: Explosion at the blast site causes a fire in Grunewald

In Berlin's Grunewald, the police operate a detonation site where found ammunition is destroyed in a controlled manner. But in the early hours of the morning, there was an unplanned explosion that started a fire. The fire brigade is having trouble getting to the scene.

After an explosion at a police blast site in Berlin's Grunewald forest, the adjacent forest caught fire and the fire is spreading. More explosions keep happening. The regional, long-distance and S-Bahn traffic are interrupted, as the railway announced on its website.

The Avus motorway between Spanish Allee and Hüttenweg is blocked in both directions, as is Kronprinzessinnenweg and Havelchaussee, according to the Berlin traffic center.

"The situation is confusing," said a spokesman for the fire department. Currently, the firefighters have withdrawn to 1000 meters. There are 100 firefighters and police officers on site. Other forces and special forces of the Bundeswehr are requested.

"We are currently in the consultation and observation phase," the spokesman said. According to a police spokesman, it is still completely unclear how the explosion could have happened. Found ammunition is stored on the square and defused in a controlled manner by the explosive ordnance disposal service of the Berlin police.

The authorities warn the population about the major fire on the warning apps and called on them to avoid the danger area. Residents should keep windows and doors closed. Ventilation and air conditioning should be turned off.