BERLIN (Reuters) - Scores of firefighters battled a blaze at the home of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra on Tuesday.
Around 170 firefighters and more than 30 vehicles were atthe scene trying to extinguish the fire which broke out duringrehearsals open to the public, a fire brigade spokesman said.
Television footage showed a pall of smoke billowing fromthe roof of the building, a controversial design by HansScharoun that was completed in 1963 and renowned for itsacoustics.
Musicians and visitors to the yellow Philharmonic buildingnear the city centre had escaped and were no longer in danger,he said. There were no reports of injuries.
"The fight is continuing," the spokesman said. "I can't yetsay what caused it. We're in the process of opening the rooffrom above so we can get to the source of the blaze better."
The orchestra, which was founded more than 120 years ago,is regarded as one of the world's most prestigious. BritonSimon Rattle is its principal conductor.
"We can rule out a total write-off of the Philharmonie,"fire brigade spokesman Jens-Peter Wilke told n-tv television."But the building is obviously in danger. We're doing all wecan to rescue this important cultural site in Berlin."
The area surrounding the building has been cordoned off.
A spokeswoman for the orchestra said a news conferenceabout the fire would be held at 3:30 p.m. British time.
(Writing by Dave Graham; Editing by Robert Woodward)
