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Devastating Fire at Former State Operetta: Firefighting Efforts Likely to Continue Late into the Night
On Friday evening, a fire broke out at the former State Operetta in the Dresden district of Leuben, creating a scene of chaos and concern. As reported by the spokesperson for the Dresden Fire Department, Michael Klahre, the alarm was raised at 19:37.
A dark plume of smoke hovered over Dresden!
In Brief
- Former State Operetta in Dresden-Leuben caught fire
- Fire department was alerted at 19:37
- Dark smoke rising from the building
- Further information not yet available
- Dresden Fire Department is currently at the scene
Upon arrival, firefighters conducted an initial assessment, revealing that the roof structure of the building was engulfed in flames. While the back part of the former operetta was already fully ablaze, the flames began to spread to the main building.
In response, over 50 firefighters initiated a ‘massive firefighting attack’, according to Klahre. The efforts have proven effective so far; “We have managed to extinguish some flames,” he noted later in the evening in a conversation with TAG24.
As firefighting crews equipped with thermal imaging cameras were called in, the fire department prepared for an interior attack. Entering the building had previously been impossible due to extreme heat. Firefighting efforts are expected to continue throughout the night, according to the initial assessment from the fire spokesperson.
So far, no injuries have been reported. However, one firefighter required medical assistance due to circulatory problems but is now recovering well. Alongside this, residents of two neighboring houses were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, local residents within a 1000-meter radius have been advised to keep their windows and doors shut, as the dark smoke is drifting towards Heidenau.
Due to firefighting operations, delays and detours are currently affecting lines 2, 46, and 65, as reported by DVB.
The police are managing traffic at the scene, and Pirnaer Landstraße has been closed near the fire site, confirmed a spokesperson from the Dresden police department.
Earlier on Friday morning, a fire erupted at the site of the Old Leipzig Station.
Life was meant to return to the building
The devastating flames come at an extraordinarily inopportune time, as Dr. Rainer Kempe, head of the initiative “Bring Life Back to the Old Operetta in Leuben,” expressed to TAG24 in the evening. As the flames engulf the structure, he stated: “We had recently informed Mayor Kühn that we planned to revive activity in the coming weeks, but this sets us back.”
Kempe suspects that the fire may have been set by teenagers, describing this “vandalism” as infuriating. The police have not yet speculated on the cause of the fire. A spokesperson emphasized that investigations will begin once the firefighting efforts are concluded.
Initial report from June 6, 20:04. Last updated at 22:25.
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