Ban on firecrackers in Berlin? The Fire Chief wants New Year’s Eve to be like New York

New Year in Berlin

Ban on firecrackers on New Year’s Eve: fire chief speaks clearly

Injuries and fires on New Year’s Eve caused by firecrackers and fireworks – will this end soon in Berlin? The fire chief called for a general ban and mentioned possible alternatives.

The director of Berlin’s state fire brigade, Karsten Homrighausen, spoke again on Sunday in favor of a general ban on firecrackers on New Year’s Eve. The fire chief demanded that fireworks be set off only by professionals, even at New Year’s Eve.

“I would argue that fireworks are in expert hands, even on the last two days of the year,” Homrighausen told the “Berliner Morgenpost”. He cited metropolitan cities such as New York or Sydney as role models, where fireworks displays in the city center at famous places are enough to welcome the new year.

The fire chief criticized the current regulations. Improper handling often results in physical harm, including loss of limbs, as well as economic losses due to damage to housing.

Homrighausen spoke of hundreds of fires and injuries at the turn of the year. On New Year’s Eve 2024/2025, there was a shell bomb explosion which damaged several houses in Berlin-Schöneberg.

As an alternative, the state fire director suggested central firework zones at the district level. This will help better track illegal incendiary devices and ball bombs. To ban private fireworks in cities, states must decide on a preamble clause in explosives laws.