Major fire in Dresden: Former state operetta completely lost after fire

Major fire in Dresden: Former state operetta completely lost after fire

On the night of June 7, 2025, there was a devastating major fire in the Dresden district of Leuben, which completely destroyed the old State Operetta building. The Dresden fire department was alerted at 7:37 p.m. when the fire had already spread to the roof and the rear part of the building Deutschlandfunk. Over 50 emergency services were on site to fight the flames, which quickly spread to the main building. Drones with thermal imaging cameras supported the fire fighters from the air. “Fire out” was finally reported around 5:30 a.m., but the building had burned out completely in the meantime day24.

No room for nostalgia

The former theater, known as the Apollo Theater, opened in 1947 and was the only independent operetta theater in Germany. The State Operetta was relocated in 2016 and the historic building has been empty since then Deutschlandfunk. Plans to revitalize the site were already in place before the fire. Dr. Rainer Kempe, the head of the citizens' initiative “Enliven Old Operetta Leuben,” expressed concern: “The fire comes at an inconvenient time – I fear that it was started by young people.” The causes of the fire are currently unclear and the police have begun an investigation.

The far-reaching consequences

Fortunately, there were no injuries, only one firefighter had to be treated for circulatory problems. Nevertheless, residents within a one kilometer radius were asked to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation and air conditioning systems as the smoke was moving towards Heidenau. Two neighboring residential buildings were evacuated as a precaution, while Pirnaer Landstrasse remained temporarily closed, resulting in diversions for local public transport day24.

The loss of cultural heritage

Fires in historic buildings are a sad reality that leads to high losses of cultural assets not only in Germany, but also worldwide fire defiance. The destruction of cultural assets damages people's knowledge and identity. Every year, numerous historic buildings fall victim to fire, and in Germany in particular, UNESCO World Heritage buildings are also affected. Historical construction methods and materials pose an additional fire risk. The sad incident in Leuben reminds us how important it is to protect our cultural heritage.

The cause of the fire remains unclear, but the loss of identity and history will leave a long-lasting mark on the Dresden community. The news of the destruction of the state operetta will certainly resonate for a long time.