A major fire operation was launched at the Cologne Cathedral on Wednesday afternoon after a churchwarden reported smelling smoke. The Cologne fire service mobilized all available resources, with firetrucks arriving at the twin-spired landmark.

A spokesperson for the fire service told public broadcaster WDR that about 70 firefighters were called in to ensure there was no fire or danger to the cathedral. The operation lasted approximately two hours.

However, the large-scale response was called off after no threat was detected. The cathedral remains closed to visitors, but the public square outside remains open to tourists.

The Cologne Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major tourist attraction in Germany, drawing about six million visitors annually. Its iconic spires dominate the city's skyline.

Maintenance and security costs have been a challenge for the church. Earlier this year, it introduced a plan to charge visitors from the second half of the year, but the plan sparked public outcry. The cathedral is the tallest twin-spired church in the world.

Source: www.dw.com