Fire destroys former Nazi guesthouse "Eagle's Nest" in German Alps
A major fire on Friday evening destroyed the historic Kehlsteinhaus, known as the "Eagle's Nest", near Berchtesgaden in Bavaria. Police detained a man nearby and are investigating whether arson was involved.
A large fire in southern Germany on Friday evening destroyed the historic Kehlsteinhaus, widely known as the "Eagle's Nest", near Berchtesgaden in the state of Bavaria. The building was constructed in 1938 as a guesthouse for Nazi officials and their guests. The incident was reported by Reuters.
Firefighting effort
Flames broke out suddenly in the building, and emergency services were called to the scene. Around 200 firefighters and rescuers took part, battling the blaze for several hours in difficult mountain conditions to keep the fire from spreading.
Investigation
Police detained a man near the scene. An investigation is under way to establish the exact cause of the fire and whether it may have been arson. The source does not say whether the detained man is linked to the fire.
History of the building
The house stands in a striking Alpine landscape above Berchtesgaden. Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, used it from time to time, which earned it the nickname "Hitler's Tea House". It is a separate structure located near his summer residence, the "Berghof".
The results of the investigation into the cause of the fire are not yet known.
