on video | Toxic fire forces evacuation in Hamburg

A major fire spewing toxic fumes broke out in Hamburg, Germany, on Sunday, forcing many evacuations.

A video circulating on social media shows a particularly powerful yellow inferno, pushing smoke skyward.

Gases and chemicals in the air from a warehouse fire can affect breathing. The smoke cloud is heading to the city center! said a warning from the Hamburg fire department.

A police spokesman said around 140 people had been evacuated.

According to local media NDR, local residents have been ordered to close their doors and windows.

“Hamburg’s city center has turned completely black,” said a spokesman for the fire department.

The cause of the fire is unknown.

Germany’s national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, said trains between Hamburg and the nearby town of Büchen had been suspended because of the incident.

Trains between Hamburg and Berlin also experience delays of up to 90 minutes.

Firefighters said a few hours later that they had brought the fire under control.