FRANKFURT: Police and fire officials in the German city of Hamburg warned locals of possible toxins in the air after fires broke out early on Sunday at multiple storage facilities.
Around 140 people were evacuated, and it is not yet possible to say exactly how dangerous the situation is, a police spokesperson said.
A spokesperson with the fire department said they had reduced the threat level somewhat, even though the fire was still burning at midday, but that people should remain indoors with windows closed.
Authorities said the fire began around 4 am in Rothenburgsort, just a few kilometres southeast of central Hamburg, and that the smoke cloud was moving in the direction of the city centre.
Public broadcaster NDR said the fire involved containers with hydrogen sulfide, a toxic and foul-smelling substance, forcing firefighters and police officers to wear breathing apparatus. Multiple police, fire and other emergency workers were at the scene as a thick cloud of dark smoke billowed upwards.