A massive fire has nearly destroyed the Kehlsteinhaus, the mountaintop retreat historically known as the Eagle’s Nest, in the Bavarian Alps, authorities confirmed Saturday. Firefighting operations continued into the morning hours, and one individual has been detained in connection with the incident.
The Berchtesgaden tourism authority initially stated it was unclear if any portion of the structure could be saved; however, police later reported the building had burned down almost entirely. An alarm sounded at approximately 9:15 p.m. on Friday at the site, which sits on a cliff 1,834 meters (6,017 feet) above sea level in Germany’s southeastern corner. Responding crews spotted flames upon arrival.
The remote, high-altitude location complicated logistics significantly, preventing fire engines from reaching the building directly. Personnel required respiratory protection to access the immediate area. Authorities confirmed no one was inside the structure at the time, and there are currently no reports of injuries.
Police detained a person who came under suspicion shortly after the blaze erupted, though their involvement has not yet been determined. Completed in 1938, the Kehlsteinhaus is accessed via a brass elevator bored through the mountain rock, connecting to a road that winds through tunnels. While closed to private vehicles, the road serves bus traffic for visitors.
Since 1952, the building has functioned as a restaurant and cafe, housing an exhibition detailing its history. The facility was not open to the public when the fire broke out on Friday evening.
