Large fire in Schöneberg: apartment building evacuated!

Large fire in Schöneberg: apartment building evacuated!

On Wednesday afternoon, a fire broke out in an apartment building in Schöneberg, Berlin, presenting the fire department with a huge challenge. A large contingent of around 167 emergency services deployed to fight the fire in the roof structure of the building, which covered an area of ​​400 square meters. During the extinguishing work, several residents had to be evacuated, some of whom had to climb to safety using scaffolding. A resident was taken to hospital with suspected smoke inhalation. Daily Mirror reported that the fire brigade had largely extinguished the fire by around 6:45 p.m., but control and extinguishing work was still ongoing.

The extinguishing work was particularly difficult because the outside temperatures were almost 40 degrees. This made the operation even more dangerous for the firefighters who fought the flames using breathing apparatus. Further measures included the use of three turntable ladders and 16 fire engines, all of which were used to tame the impending disaster.

Evacuation and damage

The fire caused significant water damage as a result of the extinguishing efforts, and the authorities classified parts of the attic and floors below as being at risk of collapse. The stairwell could only be used to a limited extent, which made the situation even more difficult for the affected residents. The district office was forced to classify the building as uninhabitable, so the residents had to be relocated. In order to support these people, the German Red Cross set up a care center for those affected.

Several reports of similar incidents show that the risk of fire in apartment buildings should not be underestimated. On June 25, 2025, there was a recent fire in an apartment building in Sendling, Munich, which also affected a roof area. Thirty-one residents there were evacuated and one person was treated for suspected smoke poisoning. How Blue light MYK reported that the fire in Sendling was extinguished after around 30 minutes and there were no further threats from embers in adjacent areas.

Statistics and fire protection

Comprehensive and uniform fire statistics for Germany are difficult to find. According to information from FeuerTrutz, accurate data can help improve fire safety by highlighting the causes of fires, injuries and deaths. The regular updating and addition of such statistics is essential in order to better assess potential risks.

The incidents in Berlin and Munich clearly show how important good preparation and quick reaction are in the event of a fire. Especially in the warm season, when the danger due to high temperatures increases, both residents and emergency services must be well prepared for such situations.