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Fire at Berlin orchestra's home Fire at Berlin orchestra's home
(about 1 hour later)
German firefighters are battling to extinguish a fire at the home of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra. The home of one of the world's greatest orchestras, the Berlin Philharmonic, has been damaged by a fire.
All staff and visitors at the concert hall have been safely evacuated, a spokesman for the fire brigade said. Firefighters had to cut through the roof to tackle the flames, which have now been brought under control.
Firefighters are trying to reach the source of the blaze, via the roof of the distinctive 1960s building. Hundreds of visitors and musicians were evacuated, and most of the instruments have been moved to safety.
"We don't believe anyone is in danger as the fire appears to be [confined] to the roof," fire crew spokesman Marco Trenn said. The fire broke out beneath the roof of the building, where welding work was being carried out. Police are investigating that as a possible cause.
We can rule out a total write-off of the Philharmonic Firefighters spokesman Jens-Peter Wilke In pictures: Berlin Philharmonic fire After the war this represented all of the hopes of bombed-out Berlin Pamela RosenbergBerlin Philharmonic general manager In pictures: Berlin Philharmonic fire
Bassoonist Stefan Schweigert said the fire brigade had allowed musicians into the building to remove instruments that had been left in lockers overnight, although some, such as pianos, were too large to move. The fire broke out early on Tuesday afternoon.
It is unclear what caused the fire. The area around the building has been cordoned off. About 300 people were in the building at the time, but they were evacuated without any panic.
Firefighters are in the process of cutting holes in the building's tent-shaped zinc roof to get at the fire. Reports say the building has suffered major damage. Bassoonist Stefan Schweigert said the fire brigade had allowed musicians into the building to remove instruments that had been left in lockers overnight - although some, such as pianos, were too large to move.
The extent of the damage is unclear, but fire officials say the fire did not spread through the building.
The hall - a Berlin landmark - was built in the 1960s, and is famed for its acoustics.
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Firefighters on the rooftop of the Berlin Philharmonic building trying to put out the fireFirefighters on the rooftop of the Berlin Philharmonic building trying to put out the fire
"We can rule out a total write-off of the Philharmonic," firefighters spokesman Jens-Peter Wilke told n-tv television. Pamela Rosenberg, general manager of the Berlin Philharmonic, told the BBC: "After the war this represented all of the hopes of bombed-out Berlin. It was like the Phoenix rising from the ashes."
"But the building is obviously in danger. We're doing all we can to rescue this important cultural site in Berlin." She added that the hall "really symbolises Berlin".
The Philharmonic, Berlin's leading orchestra, is directed by Sir Simon Rattle. The Philharmonic, the city's leading orchestra, is directed by Sir Simon Rattle.
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You can send your pictures of the fire to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditionsYou can send your pictures of the fire to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
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