Over 230 firefighters battle large fire at German scrap metal yard

The fire started late on Friday and spread rapidly through the yard, where several hundred cars and stacks of tyres are burning.

By Saturday morning, the flames were largely under control, although about two-thirds of the site remained ablaze, a fire department spokesman said.

The intense heat from burning vehicles caused additional waste to ignite, complicating firefighting efforts. The heat set a workshop building alight, amid exploding gas cylinders and metal alloy reactions.

Firefighting operations were expected to continue into the afternoon, although it could take days to extinguish the final embers, the spokesman said.

The nearby motorway was closed due to heavy smoke.

Residents in the area were urged to keep windows and doors closed to avoid smoke inhalation.

Many were alerted by a mobile phone warning designed in part to reach those sleeping with open windows, in addition to earlier warnings broadcast via loudspeaker vehicles and emergency apps.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.