Overview

• A balcony awning fire broke out in Westend, Berlin, at 17:28 and spread into an adjacent apartment before about 50 firefighters contained it after roughly two and a half hours.
• In Hamburg-Billstedt a basement blaze trapped residents under heavy smoke and prompted a response of around 55 personnel to prevent its spread.
• Firefighters rescued ten people in Hamburg using portable ladders and an aerial platform, and no serious injuries were reported in either incident.
• Both fires were brought under control within hours and crews are now eliminating smoldering hotspots and securing the scenes.
• Police arson units have opened investigations into both blazes as authorities complete building inspections to prevent further hazards.