Burst water pipe in Berlin-Siemensstadt leads to cellar flooding and evacuation of a house

The rupture of a large water pipe in Berlin-Siemensstadt caused cellars to flood and streets and sidewalks to be washed out. Structural engineers are still working there to check the safety of the affected buildings. For a house on Hefnersteig it is already clear that the residents cannot stay there overnight, as a spokesman for the Berlin fire department said in the evening.

The five-story residential building had to be evacuated. It is not yet known how many people will be affected. For those who cannot stay with friends or relatives, the district wants to provide the opportunity to stay overnight in a nearby hotel. It is not yet clear whether further buildings should no longer be used for the time being and depends on the investigations by the structural engineers.

Last night, more than a million liters of water leaked from the Wernerwerkdamm over several hours. In 14 residential buildings and one industrial building, the water was partly up to the basement ceiling. Streets and sidewalks were washed out. Paving stones on sidewalks collapsed and left holes. Streets were covered with mud and puddles.

1,200 residents without water and electricity

Several streets were temporarily without power and the supply of drinking water was interrupted. According to the information, 1,200 residents are affected. According to an initial inspection by structural engineers on site, the buildings are not in danger of collapsing. The residents can therefore stay in their houses for the time being. However, the buildings should be further examined.

According to initial findings, no people were injured. The fire department is deployed with 100 people and is pumping the cellars empty. The operation has not yet ended and is expected to last until the evening. Not all basements have been pumped empty and a gas pipe has to be closed.

According to the fire department, a factory entrance gate was washed out and could collapse. Therefore, a gas pipe that runs under the gate must be pinched off. It was said that there is now electricity and water again in the affected buildings.