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Suspected-Arson Power Outage to Leave Southwest Berlin Without Electricity Until Thursday

Deep excavation in frozen ground is required to replace the burned high‑voltage cables.

Overview

  • About 45,400 households and 2,200 businesses in Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee and Lichterfelde lost power after a cable‑bridge fire over the Teltowkanal early Saturday.
  • Police are investigating suspected arson, forensic teams secured traces and aerial images with a drone, and a claim of responsibility received by state protection is being checked for authenticity.
  • Stromnetz Berlin is building a provisional supply expected to reconnect roughly 10,000 households in Lichterfelde from Saturday evening, with full restoration forecast for Thursday, January 8.
  • Operators say deep excavation and cable replacement are needed, with frozen ground and ongoing evidence preservation slowing work.
  • Emergency services deployed hundreds of personnel, evacuated residents from care facilities, set up notruf points and shelters, and warned of heating and communications outages as S‑Bahn trains run without station services.