A fire tore through an industrial complex in the south-western city of Freiburg late Wednesday evening, causing damage estimated at approximately €75 million, local authorities reported.
The fire ignited in a warehouse along Bebelstraße before spreading through connecting roof trusses to neighbouring buildings.
Eight businesses – including a pharmaceutical company – occupying a 40,000-square-metre portion of the complex were affected, and the entire site has been declared a total loss.
The blaze, which broke out around 9 pm, required over 200 firefighters to contain and left at least one person with minor injuries.
Throughout the night, emergency services worked to put out the flames and prevent reignition from remaining embers.
As of Thursday morning, police indicated that the fire had been fully extinguished. But clean-up and monitoring activities were expected to continue for several more hours.
As the incident unfolded, authorities cordoned off a wide area surrounding the blaze, and local residents received a warning via the Nina disaster app.
People living nearby were urged to keep windows and doors shut to avoid exposure to heavy smoke and falling ash.
Officials have since emphasized that there was no acute health risk to the public.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined. Police have stated there is, as yet, no evidence of arson, but a detailed investigation will be conducted once conditions permit.
In the meantime, some roads around the industrial park remain closed as a precaution.
The Hochdorf industrial and commercial district, an area spanning roughly 120 hectares and hosting about 260 companies, plays a crucial role in Freiburg's economy.
The fire’s aftermath is expected to have significant repercussions, with the city and local businesses facing a lengthy recovery.
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With reporting by DPA.
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