FRANKFURT – A Berlin fire on a bridge across the Teltow Canal in south-western Berlin has left up to 45,000 households without electricity until January 8, according to grid company Stromnetz Berlin.
The incident occurred early Saturday morning near the Lichterfelde heat and power station. Local police are investigating the Berlin fire as a possible arson attack. The blaze damaged several high-voltage cables, disrupting power supply across the area.
Stromnetz Berlin said that restoring electricity will require installing new cables. Officials expect a full restart of all affected customers by Thursday afternoon. The outage also affected about 2,200 commercial entities. Mobile phone services and landlines may experience temporary disruptions due to the damage.
Firefighters were alerted at 0545 GMT and successfully extinguished the Berlin fire, according to a police statement posted on Twitter. Criminal investigators and emergency services remain on the scene to assess the cause and ensure public safety.
Residents in the affected areas reported sudden power loss and difficulties with communication services. Authorities urged people to remain cautious and follow safety guidelines while repair works are ongoing. Stromnetz Berlin is coordinating with local emergency teams to restore services as quickly as possible.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of urban infrastructure to fire and potential criminal acts. Officials emphasized the importance of rapid response and preventive measures to protect critical power lines. Investigators are examining surveillance footage and witness reports to determine if the fire was deliberate.
City officials also noted that backup generators are being used to maintain essential services, including hospitals and emergency centers, until power is fully restored. Residents are advised to conserve electricity and report any further electrical issues to local authorities.
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The Berlin fire incident underscores the need for heightened vigilance and improved safety protocols around key infrastructure. Authorities continue to investigate the cause and work to prevent similar events in the future.
