A month and a half before New Year’s Eve, Berlin state fire director Karsten Homrighausen once again backed a general ban on firecrackers. “I would argue that fireworks are in expert hands, even on the last two days of the year,” the fire chief told the “Berliner Morgenpost”. Homrighausen cited metropolitan cities such as New York or Sydney as role models, where downtown fireworks displays at famous venues are enough to welcome the new year. As required in Germany, firecrackers and fireworks in category F2 may only be set off by experts. “Just two days a year is enough,” he criticized the newspaper.
Improper handling often results in physical harm, including loss of limbs, as well as economic loss, such as loss of shelter. The fire chief spoke of hundreds of fires and injuries at the turn of the year. On New Year’s Eve 2024/2025, several houses in Berlin-Schöneberg were damaged by shell bombs.
Homrighausen also proposed central fireworks zones at district level. Illegal incendiary devices and ball bombs can then be tracked more easily as it will be difficult for the perpetrators to get lost amidst the background noise of a typical fireworks display. To ban private fireworks in cities, states must decide on a preamble clause in explosives laws.
