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

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

The old state operetta in Dresden is the focus of a dramatic incident that heats the minds of the citizens' initiative "Old Operetta - Leuben Leuben". On Friday evening, a fire broke out in the stage area of ​​the building that has 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 by the incident, but also angry with the suspected cause of the fire: arson, possibly by young people who were previously seen on the premises, how Sächsische.de reported.

Rainer Kempe, an active member of the initiative, expresses his anger about the careless securing of the building by the city. Branders are already in use to clarify the exact circumstances of the fire. The police estimate the damage incurred on a six to seven-digit amount and has started the investigation. Vandalism occurred again and again in the months before the fire, and even fire traces were found in May 2024. For example, torn cables and fitted windows were documented. According to Kempe, more intensive surveillance of the building could have prevented worse in the past, because the city had stopped the police monitoring after three years.

growing concern about vandalism

The citizens' initiative, which entered the abandoned building for the first time in 2023, documented serious break -ins and thefts. Copper cables, radiators as well as even fire sets and small bangs were found inside. The city administration, represented by Mayor Kühn, had promised to improve the security of the property. But Kempe and the initiative see the measures inadequate. Despite its warnings that the city had not installed video surveillance and did not carry out any additional security rounds, they were ignored.

An eyewitness that took the flames with its 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 a control course and alerted the fire brigade. "All of this could be avoided if the city would finally react more continuously," said Kempe too.

future of the state operetta uncertain

Despite the devastating circumstances, there is hope of reviving the state operetta. The city had already announced plans to convert the currently damaged building, but these plans are now on the brink. In the second half of 2025, the city plans to submit proposals to use the property, but everything depends on the investigation and the assessment of the damage. Kempe demands that the plan to build a community center in leuben should not be given up. "That would be a nice place for the community," said his appeal.

The incident not only raises questions about the security of the building, but also on the legal consequences of possible arson. In youth criminal law, arson is a serious crime that, depending on the severity and intention of the perpetrator, can result in sensitive punishments, as described on Strav defense-roth.de. In a case like this, in which young people are considered a suspect, there can be serious legal consequences that affect not only the perpetrators, but also the affected community.