Huge fire in Dresden's empty state operetta! Millions of damage!

Huge fire in Dresden's empty state operetta! Millions of damage!

On Friday evening, June 8, 2025, a devastating fire broke out in the former state operetta in Dresden-Leuben. The flames converted the once magnificent building into a smoking rubble field. The fire brigade was used for a total of 18 hours to fight the fire. Despite all its efforts, the team could not prevent the building from burning out completely. According to the initial police, the damage incurred amounts to a six to seven-digit amount. The exact scope of the destruction is currently being determined by fire investigators, whose investigations are still running to determine the cause of the fire.

The state operetta, which has not been used since the end of 2016 than the ensemble moved to the Mitte power plant, was often the goal of vandalism before. This long vacancy has apparently also contributed to the fact that the building has now succumbed to one of the worst fates - burning out completely.

city in focus

The city of Dresden, the owner of the former state operetta, is also in the focus. In view of the precarious situation in a building complex that was unused for so long, the question arises as to which measures could be taken to avoid such a state in the future. After all, due to the years of inactivity, the terrain was often the goal of vandalism and seemed to be a perfect example of what happens if no attentive eye is thrown on such historical buildings.

Despite the tragedy of this fire, it creates new interest in the fate of the former state operetta. Perhaps this is an occasion to not only show the serious consequences of arson, but also the importance of monument protection and the preservation of historical buildings. Because each of these buildings tells a story - and the state operetta was no exception.