Massive chimney measuring 170 meters demolished in Leipzig
The city of Leipzig, Germany, bid farewell to a significant piece of its industrial history on Sunday, as the 170-meter tall chimney of the former Max Reimann heating plant was demolished. The demolition, which took place at 10:11 AM, was carried out by MB-Explosiv Sprengtechnik GmbH.
The process, which is expected to take up to five months, involved the detonation of approximately 100 kilograms of explosives, a technique known as a "folded demolition." A 200-meter radius was evacuated prior to the controlled explosion to ensure safety.
The chimney, a remnant of Leipzig's brown coal era, had been out of use before its demolition. Despite this, it remained a landmark for many residents, who gathered near the power plant to watch its fall.
The city's municipal utilities are responsible for the clean-up operation, which may involve the removal of other remnants of the heating plant. Ulrike Matthes, an explosives expert from the Thuringian Explosives Company, oversaw the demolition.
The collapse of the chimney released a thick cloud of smoke, visible to all at the site. Residents were advised to close windows and cover equipment such as solar panels or air intake systems due to the dust from the demolition, even beyond the exclusion zone.
The clean-up operation may have environmental implications due to the historical use of the chimney. Until 1996, the heating plant's exhaust gases were released into the air through the chimney. The debris from the demolished chimney will be sorted and removed.
The demolition marks the end of a significant industrial relic in Leipzig. The city is taking steps to remove historical industrial structures as it continues to evolve and modernise.
The clean-up operation may also lead to the removal of other remnants of the heating plant, further marking a new chapter for Leipzig. As the smoke clears and the debris is removed, the city will continue to move forward, leaving its industrial past behind.
