A widespread power outage occurred in southwest Berlin on Saturday, affecting nursing homes and other care facilities. According to Stromnetz Berlin, approximately 45,000 households and 2,000 businesses were impacted. Emergency services worked simultaneously to ensure the supply of power to critical locations. Police are investigating arson as the cause. (welt: 03.01.26)
Cause of the Fire at the Teltow Canal
According to the company, the fire was caused by a cable bridge over the Teltow Canal, damaging several lines to the nearby Lichterfelde power plant. The fire has since been extinguished, but repairs remain complex because multiple cable strands are affected and the network topology cannot be easily reconfigured. Company spokesman Henrik Beuster named the affected districts of Nikolassee, Zehlendorf, Wannsee, and Lichterfelde, an area with many residential neighborhoods and important facilities.
The fire department also prepared early for a prolonged outage because the situation remained dynamic and a reliable forecast was lacking. They wrote online: “When the power supply will be restored is still unclear. A longer outage is to be expected.” They added: “Stromnetz Berlin is working as quickly as possible to resolve the problem. At the moment, it is impossible to predict how quickly it can be fixed. It must currently be assumed that the power outage will last for some time.”
Safety in the Cold: Fire Department Warns and Relies on Simple Measures
Because sub-zero temperatures create additional risks, the fire department advises taking clear precautions, focusing on typical hazards in homes. The advice reads: “Be careful when handling candles – do not leave them unattended. Use flashlights instead of candles! Do not use gas-powered heaters or disposable grills indoors. Keep warm with sweaters and blankets.” This addresses not only fire hazards but also the risk of exhaust fumes in enclosed spaces.
Because sub-zero temperatures create additional risks, the fire department advises clear precautionary measures, focusing on typical hazards in homes. At the same time, the police warned that the power outage could also affect mobile and landline services. They therefore dispatched officers to the affected areas. Anyone in urgent need of assistance should contact emergency services directly or go to a police station, as emergency calls might fail temporarily in some streets. Residents are advised to remain calm but prepared, and to keep an eye on their neighbors in case elderly or sick people experience problems.
Major Operation in Steglitz-Zehlendorf and Reminder of September Attack
A major operation involving several hundred firefighters and other emergency personnel was underway in the Steglitz-Zehlendorf district. Volunteer fire departments and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) were also involved. The situation was particularly critical because the area contains several nursing homes and hospitals, requiring seamless coordination of emergency power and logistics. According to the fire department, residents and patients from at least two nursing homes were relocated to other facilities.
The incident also evokes memories of September, when a similar power outage in southeast Berlin lasted for several days. At that time, Stromnetz Berlin initially reported that around 50,000 customers were affected. The cause was then believed to be a politically motivated arson attack on two power pylons. This time, too, the police are investigating the possibility of arson. This suspicion is heightening awareness, as critical infrastructure is increasingly under scrutiny.