Major fire in Dresden State Operetta: auditorium collapsed!

Major fire in Dresden State Operetta: auditorium collapsed!

A dramatic fire struck the former state operetta in Dresden-Leuben on Thursday evening. At 7:35 p.m. the fire broke out in the attic of the empty building for reasons that were still unclear and spread quickly, so that the fire brigade was faced with almost insurmountable flames and dense clouds of smoke when they arrived. As a result, up to 150 emergency services were on site at times to control the situation.[ksta.de]

The fire brigade, supported by the Technical Relief Agency (THW), had to deal with enormous challenges. While extinguishing the fire, it quickly became clear that an internal attack was not possible due to the intense heat and thick smoke. The fire department therefore concentrated on an external attack, which was ultimately carried out using seven jet pipes, including three via turntable ladders. Late in the evening, the emergency services abandoned the roof structure because the flames could no longer be fought from the inside and instead allowed them to burn out in a controlled manner.[t-online.de]

Evacuations and hazard warnings

The column of smoke was visible far across the city and caused considerable concern among residents. A warning was issued to all residents within 1,000 meters to keep their windows and doors closed. Two adjacent residential buildings were evacuated as a preventive measure to avoid possible dangers. A total of around 35 firefighters were still on site on Friday morning, while the final extinguishing work continued and the emergency services were expected to be busy all day.[ksta.de]

A firefighter had to be treated for circulatory problems while the emergency services continued to work under less than optimal conditions. The use of civilian drones, which hindered the fire department's reconnaissance efforts, was particularly challenging. A drone pilot was identified and his devices were removed. It is essential to avoid such disruptions in order not to endanger the safety of the emergency services.[t-online.de]

The future of the state operetta

The state operetta, which has been based in Dresden-Mitte at the Mitte power plant since 2016, has an impressive tradition of over 240 years. However, this historic building suffered a severe setback with the fire. In addition to the building being completely burned out, the auditorium has collapsed, meaning that both the main building and the former auditorium are considered inaccessible due to the risk of collapse.[ksta.de]

The cause of the fire and the extent of the damage are currently unclear. Such incidents highlight the importance of fire protection, as current statistics show. Germany needs more comprehensive data on fire protection in order to avoid similar disasters in the future and increase safety. The effectiveness of fire protection measures can only be assessed through regular updates.[feuertrutz.de]

Overall, it shows how important not only the rapid response of the fire brigade is, but also preventive measures and information-based fire prevention initiatives. Stay informed about developments surrounding this incident and the work of the fire department in general.