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17h ago

Partial Power Restored in Berlin After Suspected Arson on Cable Bridge

Authorities say roughly 35,000 households may remain without electricity until Thursday afternoon.

Police officers walk outside a power distribution system that caught fire, causing a blackout in parts of the city, in Berlin, Germany, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Buildings stand without power during a blackout caused by a fire at a power distribution system in Berlin, Germany, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt
FILE - Steam leaves a cooling tower of the Lichterfelde gas-fired power plant near a cable bridge crossing the Teltow canal in Berlin, Germany, on March 30, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn, File)
A gas station stand without power during a blackout caused by a fire at a power distribution system in Berlin, Germany, January 3, 2026. REUTERS/Axel Schmidt

Overview

  • A pre-dawn fire on Jan. 3 at a cable bridge in Lichterfelde cut supply to parts of Steglitz-Zehlendorf, leaving about 45,500 households and 2,200 businesses without power.
  • Stromnetz Berlin reported that by 3:23 a.m. on Jan. 4 electricity had been restored to around 7,000 households and 150 businesses, with roughly 38,000 homes still offline.
  • Police are investigating on suspicion of arson after a letter to authorities claimed responsibility, and officials are examining its authenticity with no group identified.
  • The outage has disrupted district heating and affected care homes and medical facilities, with residents moved from at least two elderly care facilities.
  • Cold weather is slowing repairs to high-voltage and underground cables, and station displays and ticket machines failed even as trains continued operating.