Warehouse fire in Hamburg, Germany causes explosions, highway closures

BERLIN-- A major fire broke out on Monday afternoon at a warehouse in Hamburg, a northern German port city, triggering explosions and further blazes, local authorities said.

More than 100 firefighters were dispatched. A fire department spokesperson said several people were injured but did not give an exact number, adding that the figure was in the single digits.

The blaze began when a vehicle parked inside the warehouse in the city's southeastern port area caught fire, causing explosions of pressurized containers and spreading flames to nearby warehouses, according to the fire brigade.

Debris from the explosions landed on the nearby A1 highway, forcing closures and causing traffic jams stretching more than 10 km, police said.

Local media reported a large column of dark smoke was visible from afar. The area has been sealed off as rescue operations continue.

The Port of Hamburg is Germany's largest all-purpose port and the country's leading foreign trade hub, according to its website.