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'Blast Wave' Rocks World War II Bunker in Hamburg, Germany; 38 Hurt

Hamburg fire department spokesman Thorsten Grams told NBC News: “It is a scene of devastation.”
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MAINZ, Germany — Dozens of people were injured when a fire triggered a "blast wave" at a World War II bunker in the German city of Hamburg early Tuesday.

Computer monitors and bicycles were sent flying through the air while windows were smashed near the seven-story facility in a residential area.

Image: Firefighters stand outside the bunker in Hamburg, Germany
Firefighters stand outside a World War II bunker that caught fire in Hamburg, Germany, on Tuesday.DANIEL BOCKWOLDT / AFP - Getty Images

Officials said 12 rescue workers were among the 38 people hurt.

“Vehicles and buildings are covered with black ash,” Hamburg fire department spokesman Thorsten Grams told NBC News. “It is a scene of devastation.”

Officials said that the above-ground bunker has no windows and only two doors, which helped to “a conduction thoroughfare” which in turn caused a "blast wave" of energy.

It was unclear what started the blaze but authorities said a carpenter used part of the bunker and nearly 100 tons of essential oils were stored inside it.