Roof of Berlin orchestral theatre catches fire (Roundup)

Europe News

May 20, 2008, 17:53 GMT

Berlin - The roof of Berlin's Philharmonic Hall caught fire Tuesday, depriving the world renowned Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra of its home until the damaged theatre can be repaired. Firemen attempt to extinguish a fire on the roof of famous concert hall Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany, 20 May 2008. The building near Potsdam Square was evacuated as a precaution measure. EPA/ARNO BURGI

Firemen attempt to extinguish a fire on the roof of famous concert hall Philharmonie in Berlin, Germany, 20 May 2008. The building near Potsdam Square was evacuated as a precaution measure. EPA/ARNO BURGIThe fire alert began only an hour before the orchestra, an adult choir and 400 children were to have begun a joint rehearsal for a concert to take place Friday night. Nobody was injured, but the pall of smoke spread through central Berlin. Firefighters spent hours ripping off parts of the sheet-metal roof to gain access to burning insulation. The hall proper has its own concrete ceiling which separated it from the smouldering tent-like roof. The hall's chief executive, Pamela Rosenberg, said she was glad the 720 performers had not yet assembled when the emergency began, but another venue would have to be found for the concert. Claudio Abbado, who retired as conductor of the orchestra in 2002, had already been in the building at the time the blaze began, preparing for a comeback programme from Friday to Sunday, she said. Sir Simon Rattle, the orchestra's regular conductor, was in France. A 30-metre length of the roof was smouldering when fire crews arrived at the landmark golden building. There were no open flames, witnesses said. Welding work on the roof had been under way just before the fire and was the most likely cause, police said. The asymmetrical theatre close to Potsdamer Platz is the home of Berlin's leading orchestra, which is conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. Musicians evacuated expensive instruments from the building, which also houses a musical instrument museum. There were fears the water used against the fire would cause far more damage than heat or smoke. Fire services spokesman Marco Trenn told NTV news television the fire had been confined to the roof area and there had been no risk of it spreading after the firefighters arrived, but it was difficult to find the hot spots from the outside. The work was expected to last through the night. The 2,200-seat building, designed by Hans Scharoun, opened in 1963 on the West Berlin side of the Berlin Wall.

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