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Fire breaks out in home of Berlin Philharmonic


    BERLIN (Reuters) - Firefighters are battling to put out a blaze at the home of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra that broke out during a concert on Tuesday, authorities said.

    A fire brigade spokesman said visitors to the Philharmonicbuilding near the city centre had escaped and were no longer indanger. Around 110 firefighters and 20 vehicles were at thescene trying to extinguish the fire, he added.

    Television footage showed a pall of smoke billowing fromthe roof of the building, a controversial design by HansScharoun that was completed in 1963. It is widely regarded ashaving some of the best acoustics of any concert hall.

    The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The areasurrounding the building has been cordoned off.

    (Writing by Dave Graham)