Electric car giant Tesla’s factory in Berlin was evacuated today (5th Feb) after what police believe was an arson motivated by plans to expand the plant.
German media reports that the factory’s 12,500 workers were ordered to leave over fears for their safety when power to the plant was cut off by a fire.
Meanwhile, say reports, police bomb squads were searching the area after emergency workers found a chilling warning that explosive devices had hidden nearby. Police refused to confirm or deny the claim.
The evacuation began after an electric pylon was set ablaze in a nearby field in what police believe an was arson attack.
It is still unclear who set the fire, but environmental protests are taking place nearby.
The Steinfurt substation near the Tesla factory reportedly set on fire at around 4:50 am, according to reports, knocking the power out at the factory.
Workers from the night shift ordered to evacuate. And dayshift workers not allowed into the building to clock on at 6am.
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Police said firefighters were tackling the blaze, which had not spread to the Tesla factory itself.
Tesla’s plans to expand its factory, which now makes 500,000 vehicles a year. Hit opposition after locals voted against plans to cut down trees to make room.
Environmental activists have built and are occupying treehouses in the forested area around the factory.
Robin Wood, one of the groups protesting the expansion of the factory. Told local media they did not know what could have caused the fire.
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Story By: Joseph Golder, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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