Major Fire Destroys Former Home of Dresden State Operetta

A significant fire at the former building of the State Operetta in Dresden-Leuben has been extensively addressed by local firefighters. The blaze, which erupted on Friday evening, was not fully extinguished until early Saturday morning, resulting in complete destruction of the structure.

The fire began in the roof space and quickly engulfed the entire building, leading to the collapse of the rear portion where the audience hall was located. Due to the risk of further structural failure, both the main building and the former audience area have been deemed unsafe for entry.

By early morning, the fire department had largely contained the flames, although a team from the Technical Relief Organization (THW) was called in to assist by covering the roof to access and extinguish any lingering hotspots.

A warning to residents in the vicinity had been issued early on due to the visibility of large smoke clouds. Approximately 35 firefighters remained on-site after an initial deployment of 150 personnel to manage the situation. Two neighboring residential buildings were evacuated as a precaution, although the fire department did not initially confirm when residents could return.

As a result of the intense smoke, citizens living within a 1,000-meter radius were advised to close windows and doors and turn off ventilation systems. The local traffic on Pirnaer Landstraße, a major road in the eastern part of Dresden, was also fully blocked, affecting public transport services.

Fortunately, no individuals were found inside the structure at the time of the fire, although one firefighter received treatment for circulatory issues on-site. The fire department reported that this was the only injury recorded during the incident.

Fire crews faced challenges combating the flames, which could only be addressed from outside the building. The decision was made to allow the fire to fully penetrate the roof structure, thereby enabling firefighters to more effectively control the blaze.

In addition to the dramatic fire at the operetta, another fire incident occurred earlier on Friday afternoon at an unused building in Dresden's Neustadt area, which also required significant firefighting efforts due to strong smoke emissions. Firefighters managed to contain this separate incident with the aid of drone technology.

The former State Operetta building had been vacant for several years, and the cause of the fire remains undetermined at this time. Investigators are expected to assess the situation further to ascertain the extent of damages incurred.

The State Operetta Dresden has a long-standing tradition, having served as a cultural venue in the city for over 240 years. Its previous home in Dresden-Leuben had been in operation since October 1947, although discussions about its closure surfaced amid budget issues in 2002, which were met with public outcry. Currently, the ensemble performs at the former Kraftwerk Mitte site in the city center.