Accusation: Woman dies - Chimney sweep and building superintendent charged

Berlin prosecutors have charged a chimney sweep and a building superintendent with negligent homicide following the death of a 24-year-old woman from carbon monoxide poisoning. The incident occurred in 2022 in her ground-floor apartment in Berlin's Nikolassee district, and three other residents of the building were hospitalized due to the gas.

According to investigators, the carbon monoxide allegedly rose from the building's heating cellar into the apartments. Prosecutors cited a missing exhaust pipe and an inadequate opening for combustion air as contributing factors to the dangerous situation. The 69-year-old chimney sweep is accused of clearing the heating system for use in 2020, despite identifying defects at the time.

The 60-year-old building superintendent is alleged to have failed to shut down the heating system during a check in 2022, even though prosecutors state it would have been necessary. Both men are now facing charges of negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm. The prosecution reports that both defendants deny the accusations.