By Martina Steffen
dpa, Berlin
BERLIN — A fire gutted 25 buses in a German municipal bus garage south of Hanover Friday, and police said they were investigating the cause.
The pre-dawn blaze in the town of Springe was fought by 350 firefighters, with crews still trying to cool off hot spots at midday. Police estimated the damage at 10 million euros (12 million dollars). There were no injuries.
The shed that was destroyed also contained several cars. A resident reported hearing bangs and seeing flames flickering in the depot.
The regional bus service shuts down at night and police said no bus-company staff were on the site at the time the blaze began.
German fire services are currently gearing up for a heavy work week, with fireworks to go on public sale from Monday in advance of New Year’s Eve celebrations, when Germans traditionally set off massive numbers of skyrockets and bangers on streets.
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