Updated: 13.30

An alert in the German city of Hamburg has been downgraded to a 'hazard' after a fire at a storage facility. 

Authorities were earlier advising people to avoid the area and told residents to close doors, windows and ventilation.

It came after a fire at a storage facility in the Rothenburgsort district forced 140 people to evacuate.

There were no reports of any casualties.

Hamburg Fire Brigade earlier said it had been on the scene since 4:42am (local time) on Sunday morning in Billstraße.

Map showing heavy smoke development due to a major fire in Hamburg, Germany. Picture by: Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance

An official alert initially warned of potential 'gases and chemical components' in the air.

However this was downgraded on Sunday afternoon, when authorities said they had not found any dangerous concentrations of gases.

🔴 AKTUELL - #Hamburg #Rothenburgsort
Die Brandbekämpfung zeigt Wirkung, die Rauchentwicklung geht deutlich zurück.
Die Warnung über #MOWAS wurde auf Gefahreninformation zurückgestuft:https://t.co/16ZE58tCHO#EinsatzfuerHamburg #FEU6

— FEUERWEHR HAMBURG (@FeuerwehrHH) April 9, 2023

Hamburg Fire Brigade said 'impairment' caused by smoke from the fire remains.

The country's national rail company Deutsche Bahn also announced an earlier closure between Hamburg and Büchen due to the fire.

The railway firm said trains between Hamburg and Berlin were being diverted and were delayed by around 90 minutes.

Photos at the scene showed the storage facility engulfed in smoke and flames.

Additional reporting: IRN

Main image: Fire trucks in the German city of Hamburg. Picture via @FeuerwehrHH on Twitter