Brand at the Alter Staatsoperette in Dresden, presented by Teknomers.

A significant  fire  erupted on Friday at the historic  Staatsoperette  in Dresden-Leuben. As reported by the local fire department, the  alarm  was raised at 7:37 PM, indicating that the building’s  roof structure  was ablaze. The smoke development has been described as extremely strong, creating a large cloud that shifts directions due to varying wind conditions.

So far, no individuals were found inside the building, according to the fire department’s statements. However, one firefighter required treatment from medical personnel due to circulation issues.

As Friday night progressed, the fire department announced that they had allowed the roof structure to burn in a controlled manner. This strategy aims to better access the primary  fire source  within the building. Fire department spokesman  Michael Klahre  elaborated on this during an inquiry with MDR SACHSEN.

Klahre emphasized the  danger  of entering the building: “It would be far too hazardous.” He anticipates that firefighting efforts will extend deep into Saturday. “Even if the fire is extinguished, we must maintain a fire watch and inspect for embers. This will likely occupy us throughout the entire day tomorrow.”

Residents within a one-kilometer radius are advised to keep windows and doors closed and shut down any  climate  and ventilation systems. As a precaution, two adjacent residential buildings were evacuated. The fire department has deployed multiple  ladders  and approximately 150 personnel to combat the blaze. In light of the ongoing emergency response,  Pirnaer Landstraße  has been fully closed to traffic.

“All onlookers are urged to leave the vicinity immediately!” the fire department stated. Additionally, there were complications with the deployment of a drone equipped with a thermal imaging camera. “Two civilian drones were unlawfully present in the airspace above the scene, hindering aerial reconnaissance efforts,” officials reported.

With assistance from the police, one of the drone pilots was identified. The fire department noted the seriousness of such incidents. “They not only jeopardize the effectiveness of the operation but also the lives and safety of the emergency personnel. A collision could lead to uncontrolled crashes of the devices, resulting in serious damage.”

Due to the fire, there are significant disruptions and detours affecting  Dresden’s public transport  network. As noted by the  Dresdner Verkehrsbetriebe  on their platform X, Line 2 is being diverted from Gorbitz, starting at the  Leuben Cemetery  to Laubegast. Line 46 is also affected, with rerouting from Laubegast, starting at the Leuben Cemetery, heading to  Albert-Wolf-Platz . Furthermore, the  Altleuben  stop cannot be accessed in either direction by Line 65.

The  Staatsoperette Dresden , which has a rich history dating back over 240 years as a musical  people’s theater  in Dresden, has been based in a former tavern in Leuben since October 1947. In 2002, the closing of this cultural institution was considered due to the city’s precarious budget situation, provoking massive protests from supporters. Since December 2016, the ensemble has performed at the  former Kraftwerks Mitte  site in the city center.

Interestingly, the fire in Dresden-Leuben is the  second major blaze  in the city on Friday. Earlier, a fire broke out in a vacant building at the  old Leipzig station  in Dresden-Neustadt. By approximately 3 PM, emergency services were able to bring that fire under control.