Famous Berlin Tower Sporting Mercedes-Benz Sign Catches Fire

The Europa-Center in Berlin is nothing like the twin World Trade Center towers in New York, though. However, Europe isn't renowned for its skyscrapers, so standing at 86 meters tall (282 feet), the Europa-Center offers an imposing figure over the otherwise low-rise Berlin skyline.

That was probably what made Mercedes-Benz seize the opportunity and have its iconic logo mounted on top of the building. The three-pointed star is housed by a circle measuring ten meters (33 feet) in diameter which is said to complete about two revolutions every minute. To make sure the logo's enviable visibility isn't lost at night, no less than 681 fluorescent tubes are used to light it up. In short, the Mercedes-Benz logo is just as famous as the building itself, with the two being virtually inseparable.

Built in 1963 (finished in 1965), the Europa-Center was modeled after similar American buildings and its 21 stories are now housing several shops and food outlets, as well as a great deal of office space.

Early Tuesday morning, the social media was flooded with pictures and videos showing the rooftop of the legendary building in flames, with large plumes of smoke being carried away by the wind. The cause of the incident is still unknown, but several German outlets (including Bild) said it was all caused by a faulty air conditioning unit.

A large number of firefighters were dispatched to the scene and luckily, no casualties were reported. Quoting the Berliner Morgenpost (who just happens to have its billboard on a neighboring building), Russia Today says that the fire alarm had not been sounded inside the tower. Over two hours later, the Berlin Police tweeted that the fire had been put out successfully and that an investigation was underway.

In the meantime, Mercedes-Benz is yet to issue a statement, but the company officials are probably breathing a sigh of relief that their logo was not affected in anyway. Their lack of reaction could also be put on the latest announcements the brand made: while it's preparing to end 2016 ahead of BMW on sales, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has also launched itself strongly on the EV market with new electric mobility brand called EQ, previewed by the Generation EQ concept.