A fire broke out in a primary school in Hannover on Saturday afternoon, completely destroying a building tract including the auditorium. Around 130 firefighters continue to battle recurring embers. Extinguishing efforts are expected to last until early Sunday morning.
The fire was reported around 3:30 p.m., as emergency services stated. At that time, a youth group from a sports club was training in the gym 50 meters away. The young people stopped the session and were brought to safety, the fire department said.
When firefighters arrived, parts of a connecting tract were already ablaze. This tract links buildings including the auditorium and the all-day care area of the school. Although the fire was contained to this area, the roof structure has been affected. Extinguishing operations remain extensive and complex, with embers flaring up repeatedly.
A dense column of black smoke rose over the school in the afternoon, according to broadcaster NDR. The city of Hannover advised residents to keep windows and doors closed and to turn off ventilation and air conditioning systems. By late evening, there was no all-clear: “Since smoke development remains strong, doors and windows in the immediate vicinity of the fire site should continue to be kept closed,” the fire department stated.
Around 130 emergency personnel are on site. The fire department expects operations to continue until early Sunday morning. No details are available on the cause of the fire or the extent of damage. It remains unclear whether school operations will be affected next week.