Monday, May 26, 2008 - Page updated at 10:25 AM

Berlin Philharmonic fire blamed on welding work

BERLIN —

A fire that tore through the roof of the Berlin Philharmonic's landmark concert hall was sparked by welding work, investigators said Monday.

The blaze broke out below the roof of the famed 1960s building near the capital's Potsdamer Platz last Tuesday and sent acrid smoke billowing over Berlin.

Firefighters had to remove about one-quarter of the roof's metal cladding - some 17,000 square feet - to get at the blaze and put it out.

There was virtually no serious structural damage or harm to the interior of the building.

Although the main concert hall escaped with only slight water damage, the building will remain closed until at least June 2.

In the meantime, the orchestra has been forced to seek new venues for previously scheduled concerts, including a performance this past weekend at Berlin's outdoor Waldebuehne venue.

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On the Net:

http://www.berliner-philharmoniker.de/en

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