Factory leak sees German street paved with chocolate

One tonne of chocolate flows out of factory in Werl and quickly hardens on the pavement

Spilt chocolate is seen on a road in Werl, Germany December 10, 2018 in this picture obtained from social media. Photograph: Reuters
Spilt chocolate is seen on a road in Werl, Germany December 10, 2018 in this picture obtained from social media. Photograph: Reuters

Firefighters in the town of Werl in western Germany tackled an unusual emergency late on Monday when a tank at a local firm making liquid chocolate overflowed and poured out onto a street and solidified quickly after coming into contact with the cold road.

“About a tonne of chocolate ran out into the yard and from there onto the street,” a spokesman for the Werl fire department said in a statement.

Fireman clear spilt chocolate from the road. Photograph: Reuters
Fireman clear spilt chocolate from the road. Photograph: Reuters

About 25 firefighters worked to pry about 10 square metres off with shovels.

They also used hot water and torches to remove remaining bits from cracks and holes.

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Company boss Markus Luckey told the Anzeiger the factory would be back in action on Wednesday. Luckey said if the spill had happened closer to Christmas, "that would have been a catastrophe". Reuters / AP