The GSI Helmholtz Centre in Darmstadt experienced a large fire after a short circuit in its high-voltage power systems; the centre said the particle accelerator was affected but has not released a full damage assessment. No injuries were reported and roughly 160 emergency personnel responded, while the site was evacuated and air-quality checks found no hazardous substances. A new €3.3 billion accelerator complex under construction is not believed to be directly affected, and investigators will probe the cause once the site is safe.
Massive Fire at GSI Helmholtz Centre in Darmstadt Damages Accelerator; Cause Under Investigation
Firefighters fight a fire on the grounds of the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt. Boris Roessler/dpa
A short circuit during preparations to power up high-voltage systems sparked a large fire on Thursday at the GSI Helmholtz Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Darmstadt, western Germany. Centre spokespeople and the local fire brigade said the facility's heavy-ion particle accelerator was affected, but the full extent of the damage has not yet been determined.
No injuries were reported. Security teams evacuated the site and emergency services moved staff and residents to safety.
What Happened
According to a centre spokesman, the short circuit involved the facility's high-voltage power supply and occurred while technicians were preparing to power up equipment. He said officials were unable to provide further details about the specific impact on the accelerator until investigators complete a safety assessment.
Response and Safety Measures
About 160 emergency personnel from Darmstadt and neighbouring districts responded to the scene. Firefighting operations continued into the evening as crews worked to bring the blaze under control. Police investigators plan to begin a formal probe into the cause once the site is declared safe.
Nearby residents were warned about smoke and advised to keep windows and doors closed and to switch off ventilation systems. Specialist units conducted air-quality measurements, and the fire department reported that no hazardous substances had been detected in the air so far.
Research Impact and Ongoing Projects
The GSI Helmholtz Centre operates a heavy-ion accelerator and conducts advanced experiments probing the structure of matter and the origins of the universe. A new accelerator complex — a 1.1-kilometre-long accelerator ring — is under construction at the site. The centre said the new project was not believed to be directly affected by the fire, though a complete assessment of the blaze's impact is still pending.
The new accelerator, estimated in 2024 to cost about €3.3 billion (roughly $3.8 billion), is intended to support research in areas including space science and medical applications. Initial experiments are scheduled to begin at the end of 2027, with research using the full ring expected to commence by the end of 2028.
Key takeaway: Emergency crews contained the blaze without injuries, but investigators will need time to assess damage to the existing accelerator and any potential effects on the construction schedule.
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