The explosion damaged a building in downtown Cologne. A police spokeswoman said the Hohenzollernring area between Rudolfplatz and Friesenplatz had been cordoned off and heavy troops were deployed to the scene. She initially gave no information on possible injuries or the cause of the explosion. Radio Cologne reported early this morning that one person had suffered minor injuries.
A fire department spokesman said they were there but did not need to fight the blaze. Police urged the public to avoid the area around the blast site.
