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Pipe Burst in Spandau: 21-Hour Operation Concludes, Homes Evacuated
Berlin, October 1 – A major pipe burst in Berlin-Siemensstadt culminated in a 21-hour operation by the fire department, concluding late Tuesday evening. The incident resulted in flooded basements, undermined streets, and the evacuation of a residential building. A total of 142 firefighters were involved in the extensive efforts, which included pumping out basements and shutting down a gas line.
The fire department reported that the incident scene was brought under control at 10:53 PM on Tuesday evening and subsequently handed over to the Berlin Waterworks. The cause of the water leakage is currently under investigation, according to a spokesperson for the Berlin Waterworks. Information regarding the total extent of the damage was not immediately available.
Over a Million Liters of Water Leaked
During the night preceding the operation, more than a million liters of water leaked over several hours at Wernerwerkdamm. This affected an industrial building and 14 basements, where water levels reportedly reached the basement ceilings in some instances. Structural engineers and the relevant building authority assessed the safety of the affected buildings, confirming that they were not at risk of collapse.
Power and Water Supply Interrupted, Residential Building Evacuated
A five-story residential building on Hefnersteig was declared uninhabitable and subsequently evacuated. Residents who could not stay with friends or relatives were accommodated in a nearby hotel by the district office, as stated by the fire department. Other residents were able to remain in their homes.
Due to the incident, power and water supplies were temporarily interrupted in several streets. Approximately 1,200 residents were affected, according to the fire department. A spokesperson for the Waterworks confirmed that only the industrial building at Warnwerkdamm, where the leak originated, remains without power and water.
Gas Line Required Extensive Work to Shut Off
As a factory gate entrance was undermined and threatened to collapse, a gas line beneath it had to be shut off. This process took an extended period because the gas supplier had to excavate to access the line. A cordon was established due to the risk of gas leakage, which was lifted late in the evening.
The incident highlights the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and the rapid response capabilities of Berlin’s emergency services. Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the pipe burst and to assess the full financial impact of the damage.
Source: dpa, Berliner Abendblatt, Berlin Fire Department, Berlin Waterworks
