THE DISTURBING FIRE AT THE BERLIN PHILHARMONIC concert hall Tuesday was largely confined to the roof of the building, it was disclosed this morning.  (See Firegeezer report of the fire HERE.)

It is even possible, according to a philharmonie spokesman, that they could resume using the hall as soon as June 2.  The fire caused serious damage to a quarter of the tent-shaped roof of the building, but left the acoustically precious interior generally unharmed, said the spokesman, Stefan Stahnke.

He said severe damage was avoided because firefighters took extra care in dousing the fire, relying heavily on foam.

Along with checking out and restoring safety systems,  a temporary roof will have to be placed over the damaged area to keep out rain.  Although the firefighters had to remove about 17,00 sq. ft. of the roof to get at the fire, there was no structural damage to the building.

AFP

Andre Schmitz, state secretary for culture, said the main auditorium had no visible damage and that chances were good that it would open again “very quickly.”

He further said that the fire was caused by repair work being carried out on the roof.

“Water damage (from putting out the fire) on the whole is light and does not concern the main auditorium,” a spokesman for Berlin fire brigade told AFP.

BBC News filed this video report yesterday:

Sources: N.Y. Times, AFP, International Herald-Tribune.

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