Angry outcry: arson discovered in Dresden's old operetta!

Angry outcry: arson discovered in Dresden's old operetta!

The old state operetta in Dresden is at the center of a dramatic incident that heats up the tempers of the citizens' initiative “Old Operetta – Revive Leuben”. On Friday evening, a fire broke out in the stage area of ​​the building, which had been unused since 2016, and quickly developed into a devastating fire that left the auditorium with enormous damage. The initiative members are not only shocked about the incident, but also angry about the suspected cause of the fire: arson, possibly by young people who were previously seen on the site, as Sächsische.de reports.

Rainer Kempe, an active member of the initiative, expresses his anger at the city's negligent security of the building. Fire investigators are already on duty to clarify the exact circumstances of the fire. The police estimate the damage caused to be between six and seven figures and have begun an investigation. Vandalism continued in the months before the fire, and traces of fire were even discovered as early as May 2024. For example, torn out cables and broken windows were documented. According to Kempe, more intensive surveillance of the building in the past might have prevented something worse, since the city stopped police surveillance after three years.

Growing concern about vandalism

The citizens' initiative, which entered the abandoned building for the first time in 2023, had previously documented serious break-ins and thefts. Copper cables, radiators and even incendiary devices and small firecrackers were found inside. The city administration, represented by building mayor Kühn, had promised to improve the security of the property. But Kempe and the initiative see the measures as inadequate. Despite their warnings that the city had not installed video surveillance or conducted additional security patrols, they were ignored.

An eyewitness who recorded the flames on his own cell phone immediately reported the fire to the rescue workers. John Pietzko, also a member of the initiative, discovered the smell of fire in the main hall during an inspection and alerted the fire department. “All of this could be avoided if the city would finally react more continuously,” said Kempe, also concerned.

Future of the state operetta uncertain

Despite the devastating circumstances, hope for a revival of the state operetta remains. The city had already announced plans to repurpose the currently damaged building, but these plans are now on the rocks. In the second half of 2025, the city plans to submit proposals for the use of the property, but everything depends on the investigation and assessment of the damage. Kempe demands that the plan to build a community center in Leuben should not be abandoned. “It would be a nice place for the community,” he said.

The incident raises questions not only about the safety of the building, but also about the legal consequences of a possible arson. In juvenile criminal law, arson is a serious crime that, depending on the seriousness and intention of the perpetrator, can result in severe penalties, as described on strav defense-roth.de. In a case like this, where young people are considered suspects, there may well be serious legal consequences that affect not only the perpetrators but also the affected community.

Given the many uncertainties, both the future of the state operetta and the city's security concept remain in limbo. The urgent appeals of the citizens' initiative must be heard in order to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.