Gas leak near Berlin Sportforum stopped after hours-long operation

A gas line was damaged during construction work in Alt-Hohenschönhausen, in Berlin's Lichtenberg district, on Tuesday. According to the Berlin fire brigade, which spoke of a "massive gas leak", an excavator caused the damage on Konrad-Wolf-Straße. Staff of the network operator were able to stop the leak at around 3:30 p.m., and the operation has since ended.

The site was cordoned off over a wide area. According to Berlin's traffic information centre (VIZ), Konrad-Wolf-Straße was closed between Berkenbrücker Steig and Sandinostraße. The BVG suspended tram line M5 between the stops S-Bahnhof Landsberger Allee and Alt-Hohenschönhausen. Firefighters earthed the tram's overhead line to prevent sparks.

A fire brigade spokesperson told the news agency DPA that a gym next to the site was evacuated. Nobody was injured, and residents were able to stay in their homes.

The fire brigade was on site with 52 emergency personnel for about four hours and secured fire protection. A water cannon was used to knock down the gas. The operation was carried out in close coordination with the gas supplier. Netzgesellschaft Berlin-Brandenburg (NBB) had said on X shortly after 1 p.m. that it was repairing the damage on site.

The site lies directly next to the Sportforum, which is home ground of the football club BFC Dynamo, among others. Several apartment buildings are currently under construction next to the area.