Overview
- A storage hall in the Gemeinde Südharz near Breitungen caught fire on Sunday evening and about 1,000 straw bales have burned since then.
- Fire crews stayed on scene through Monday and authorities say the blaze is not expected to be extinguished quickly.
- The regional emergency dispatch issued smoke warnings and asked residents to keep windows and doors closed because of strong smoke and odor.
- No injuries have been reported and police gave a first damage estimate of roughly €200,000 while noting solar panels on the hall's roof.
- Police cannot open a full investigation until firefighting ends and officials say at this stage they doubt self-ignition or a simple technical defect caused the blaze.