A fire has broken out at the mountain retreat known as the Kehlsteinhaus, or "Eagle's Nest," which was used by Adolf Hitler and high-ranking Nazi officials during the Nazi era in the German state of Bavaria.
According to a statement from the Upper Bavaria South Police Headquarters, the fire alarm was triggered at the structure located in the Obersalzberg area of Berchtesgaden at approximately 9:15 p.m. on October 23. Firefighting crews dispatched to the scene determined that the building was completely engulfed in flames.
Authorities reported that firefighting vehicles had difficulty reaching the area due to the mountainous terrain. It was stated that the interior and surroundings of the structure could only be accessed with respiratory protection equipment. It was announced that no one was in the house at the time of the fire and that there were no injuries.
INVESTIGATION FOCUSES ON SUSPECTED ARSON
The Traunstein police have launched an investigation into the fire. Shortly after the fire broke out, a suspect who drew the attention of the police was detained. A subsequent statement indicated that the detained individual is a 33-year-old German citizen living in Berlin.
The police announced that there is strong suspicion that the suspect committed the crime of arson. It was reported that an expert report determined the suspect has a mental illness, and for this reason, the prosecutor's office requested that the individual be temporarily transferred to a psychiatric hospital. The court decided that the suspect should be held in a psychiatric hospital as part of the arson investigation.
According to information in the German press, Police Chief Gerhard Holzinger said that teams encountered a person riding a red motorcycle without a license plate while heading to the scene. Stating that the driver was detained through a joint effort based on the possibility that the fire was arson, Holzinger noted that there is currently no evidence of other perpetrators and that the motorcycle has been confiscated.
According to the German Press Agency (DPA), the Kehlsteinhaus was almost completely destroyed by the fire and rendered unusable; parts of the roof collapsed. Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann announced that the structure would be rebuilt, that the building is insured, and that potential claims against the insurance company are being examined. Herrmann stated that the reconstruction process would take time.
Built in 1938 at an altitude of 1834 meters, the Kehlsteinhaus is used as a restaurant today. An exhibition on the terrace of the structure explains the history of the building. Used for political representation, hosting guests, relaxation, and private celebrations during the Nazi era, the structure was also used by Hitler to host diplomats and foreign guests; however, it is noted that Hitler rarely used the building.
News Source: 12punto
