Several buses catch fire in a bus depot operated by the Stuttgart transport operator SSB. The flames quickly spread to other vehicles.
Stuttgart – A huge column of smoke rises into the Stuttgart night sky, a police helicopter circles over the east of the city, explosions can be heard.
In the major fire on the premises of the Stuttgarter Straßenbahnen AG (SSB), at least 20 buses were completely destroyed on Thursday evening. A total of 210 firefighters were on duty to extinguish the flames, the fire brigade announced on Friday morning. According to the information, six SSB employees received medical attention. Two of them suffered minor injuries and were hospitalized with suspected smoke inhalation.
Whether a technical defect led to the outbreak of the fire or arson remains to be determined. According to the police, there were no indications of a deliberate act. The amount of the damage was also initially unclear. Eyewitnesses reported the fire around 8 p.m., according to a police spokeswoman. Officials then cordoned off the area extensively, and a police helicopter supported the operation from the air.
The major fire also kept residents of the industrial site in the Gaisburg district in suspense. They were called upon to keep windows and doors closed, turn off air conditioning and ventilation systems and avoid the affected area. The warning was lifted again early on Friday morning.
Passengers had to reckon with impairments on bus routes. The operation should take place on Friday as planned, as the SSB announced. However, there could be isolated failures. dpa
