Finance
Berlin fire could leave 45,000 without power until Jan 8
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 3, 2026
1 min readLast updated: January 20, 2026
Quick Summary
A fire in Berlin may leave 45,000 households without power until Jan 8. Stromnetz Berlin is working on repairs, with arson being investigated.
Berlin Fire Causes Major Power Outage Affecting Thousands
FRANKFURT, Jan 3 (Reuters) - A fire on a bridge across the Teltow Canal in south-western Berlin could leave up to 45,000 households without power until January 8, grid company Stromnetz Berlin said on Saturday.
Local police said they are investigating the incident, which took place early in the day, as a possible arson attack.
The fire near the Lichterfelde heat and power station damaged several high-voltage cables.
"We expect a full restart of all customers by Thursday afternoon," the company said in a statement, noting it would require the installation of new cables.
It said some 2,200 commercial entities were also affected and mobile phone services and landlines might also be impacted.
Firefighters had been alerted at 0545 GMT and put out the fire, according to a police note posted on Twitter.
Criminal investigators and emergency services are on the scene, the police said.
(Reporting by Vera Eckert; editing by Susan Fenton and Jason Neely)
Key Takeaways
- •A fire on a Berlin bridge may leave 45,000 without power.
- •Incident is being investigated as possible arson.
- •High-voltage cables near Lichterfelde station were damaged.
- •Stromnetz Berlin aims to restore power by January 8.
- •2,200 commercial entities and phone services are affected.
Frequently Asked Questions about Berlin fire could leave 45,000 without power until Jan 8
1What is a power outage?
A power outage is a temporary loss of electrical power in a specific area, which can affect households and businesses.
2What is arson?
Arson is the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property, often to cause damage or for financial gain.
3What is a high-voltage cable?
High-voltage cables are electrical wires designed to carry electricity at high voltages, typically used for power transmission.
4What is a grid company?
A grid company manages and operates the electrical grid, ensuring the distribution of electricity to homes and businesses.
5What is a heat and power station?
A heat and power station generates electricity and provides heating, often using fuels like natural gas or biomass.
