Dusseldorf blaze
The fire almost blocked the flight path at Duesseldorf airport @jjfeds

A large fire has broken out in a convention centre housing refugees in the western German city of Duesseldorf on 7 June.

The centre acts as accommodation for refugees waiting to be sent elsewhere in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. All 180 refugees in the hall were taken to safety, said a fire department spokesman, and some were treated for smoke inhalation.

A thick black plume of smoke rose as flames engulfed the 5,000 square metre (53,820 square foot) centre, almost obscuring the flight path from Duesseldorf airport.

Some 70 firefighters are at the scene, and the fire department has advised residents to keep doors and windows shut. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Germany