Some Berliners were not allowed to set off fireworks in much of their city, but tried to launch them from their homes on New Year’s Eve, sparking dozens of fires in the German capital.
At six minutes past midnight, the Berlin fire brigade had been called up for 18 fires, and more followed. No one was initially reported as seriously injured.
Berlin revelers usually take to the streets to light up the sky with fireworks on New Year’s Eve, but authorities have banned its use in more than 50 zones in the capital to discourage crowds.
The sale of fireworks was also banned in Germany leading up to Dec. 31, which is shutting down with only essential stores open until at least Jan. 10 to try to suppress the new coronavirus.
After faring better than many of its neighbors in the early stages of the pandemic last year, Germany has had an increase in the number of cases and fatalities related to Covid-19. A daily record of 1,129 new cases was reported Wednesday.