A major fire broke out at an elementary school in Hanover, according to the city’s fire department. One section of the building, which includes the school’s assembly hall, was completely destroyed by the flames, the Hanover Fire Department said on Saturday. Firefighting operations involving around 130 emergency personnel were still underway and could continue into the early hours of Sunday.
The fire at Beuthener Strasse Elementary School was reported at around 3:30 p.m., the fire department stated. When crews arrived, the flames had already spread to the assembly hall. At that time, a youth group from a sports club was still training in the gymnasium, located about 50 meters away. The children and their coach were brought to safety.
According to the fire department, the extinguishing efforts were complicated because the fire had penetrated deep into the roof structure and several storage rooms. A 19-year-old firefighter had to be treated by medical personnel due to circulatory problems.
The fire department was initially unable to provide information about the cause of the fire or the extent of the damage. It also remained unclear how the blaze would affect school operations. Due to the heavy smoke, the fire department urged residents living near the school to keep doors and windows closed and to switch off ventilation systems as much as possible.
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