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Suspected Arson Probed After Cable-Bridge Fire Cuts Power to 50,000 in Southwest Berlin

The grid operator withdrew a firm repair deadline as crews reconnect neighborhoods in stages.

Overview

  • Stromnetz Berlin reports roughly 45,000–50,000 households and about 2,000 businesses in Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee and Lichterfelde lost power after the early-morning blaze.
  • The fire damaged multiple high-voltage cables on a bridge over the Teltowkanal near the Lichterfelde plant, with the fire brigade noting a construction container burning beneath the span before the cables ignited.
  • Police say a witness alerted them around 6:45 a.m.; criminal investigators are on site and are investigating on suspicion of arson.
  • Emergency services have deployed heavily, relocating patients from at least two care homes and warning of impaired mobile and landline service, traffic signals and emergency-call reliability.
  • An initial indication that power could return by about 18:30 was later flagged as uncertain, and restoration is proceeding street by street.