Truck store explosion shrouds Hamburg in toxic smoke

A major fire has broken out at a truck shop in Hamburg, prompting emergency services to issue an extreme health warning for residents in the vicinity.

The blaze started at 4:30 am on April 9 morning and the site is now entirely engulfed in flames, according to Daily Express.

Explosions can be heard and reports say that hydrogen sulphide is leaking on the site.

Heavy smoke can be seen billowing skywards over the truck shop and is said to be heading towards apartment blocks in the surrounding areas.

Officials have told residents in Rothenburgsort to keep their windows and doors closed and to avoid going outside.

In an official statement, Hamburg Fire Brigade said: "The population in the Hamburg [HH-Rothenburgsort] area can be affected by smoke gases and chemical components in breathing the air due to a fire.”

The S-Bahn Hamburg closed the route between Berliner Tor and Billwerder-Moorfleet in both directions because of the fire brigade operation.

A replacement service was said to be set up.