[IN VIDEO] Toxic fire forces evacuations in Hamburg

UPGRADE DAY

A major fire releasing toxic fumes broke out in the city of Hamburg in Germany on Sunday, forcing many evacuations.

A video circulating on social media shows the particularly powerful yellow-colored blaze, pushing smoke skyward.

Police in Hamburg, Germany, warned locals of possible toxins in the air after a fire at a storage facility https://t.co/BKrpKjahtu pic.twitter.com/tyfiGiXX4P

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 9, 2023

“Gases and chemicals in the air caused by a warehouse fire can affect breathing. The cloud of smoke is heading downtown! said an alert from the Hamburg fire department.

Some 140 people have been evacuated, a police spokesman said, Reuters reports.

According to local news outlet NDR, local residents have been ordered to close their doors and windows.

🔴 AKTUELL – Seit heute früh um 04:42 Uhr sind wir im Einsatz in der Billstraße in #Hamburg #Rothenburgsort

Yesterday brennt ein Hallenkomplex.
Über #MOWAS wurde eine Warnung herausgegeben:
👇https://t.co/1TU0myjvjS

Wir sind nach wie vor im #EinsatzfuerHamburg

— FEUERWEHR HAMBURG (@FeuerwehrHH) April 9, 2023

“Hamburg's city center has gone completely black,” said a fire department spokesperson.

The cause of the fire is unknown. 

⚡LAST MINUTE – #Germany: Following a major fire in a warehouse in the industrial area of ​​#Rothenburgsort, the cloud of toxic smoke would move towards the city center of #Hamburg. #fire #Hamburg pic.twitter.com/VjczZYrtPN

— FranceNews24 (@FranceNews24) April 9, 2023

Germany's national rail company, Deutsche Bahn, said trains between Hamburg and the nearby town of Büchen have been suspended due to the incident.

Trains between Hamburg and Berlin also face delays of up to 90 minutes.

Firefighters reported a few hours later that they had successfully brought the blaze under control.