Large sections of Berlin were left without electricity and heating after a fire severely damaged an essential electrical facility during the early hours of Sunday, disrupting daily life amid freezing winter conditions.
Emergency services confirmed that the blaze broke out at a major power distribution site responsible for supplying electricity to several residential areas. More than 100 firefighters were deployed to contain the fire, which took several hours to bring under control due to the scale of the damage and safety risks at the site.
As a result of the incident, tens of thousands of residents experienced power outages, with the northeastern district of Lichtenberg among the hardest hit. Local authorities estimate that approximately 30,000 households in the area were still without electricity as of Monday morning. Temperatures in the German capital dropped to around -5°C (23°F), raising concerns for vulnerable populations.
To assist affected residents, city officials opened emergency warming shelters in schools, community centers, and other public buildings. Social services teams were also dispatched to check on elderly residents and families with young children.
A group identifying itself as the “Vulkan Group” circulated a statement to multiple media organizations claiming responsibility for the fire. Authorities have not verified the authenticity of the claim but confirmed that the incident is being investigated as a deliberate act of infrastructure sabotage.
Berlin police, working alongside federal security agencies, have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine how the facility was accessed and how the fire was started. Officials emphasized that protecting critical infrastructure remains a top priority, especially during periods of heightened risk due to extreme weather.
Political leaders across Germany strongly condemned the incident. Berlin’s governing mayor described the attack as a serious threat to public safety, while federal officials vowed swift legal action against those found responsible.
Although electricity has been restored to some neighborhoods, repair crews continue to work around the clock to stabilize the grid and prevent further outages. Authorities warned that full restoration may take additional time due to the extent of the damage.
The incident has renewed national discussion around the security of essential infrastructure and the need for enhanced protective measures to safeguard public services.
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