BERLIN, Germany: German police have detained a suspect after a fire engulfed the historic Eagle’s Nest mountain guest house in southern Bavaria, a Nazi-era building once used by Adolf Hitler and other senior Nazi officials.
The fire broke out on Friday at the Kehlsteinhaus, situated in the Alpine region near Berchtesgaden, prompting a major emergency response involving approximately 200 firefighters and other emergency personnel.
According to Reuters, police confirmed on Saturday that a suspect had been detained near the scene as authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the blaze.
Investigators are examining whether the detained individual was connected to the fire. No possible motive has been established or publicly disclosed.
Historic Nazi-era building
Built in 1938, the Kehlsteinhaus served as a mountain guest house for Nazi officials and their visitors during the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler.
Located high in the Bavarian Alps, the building became widely known as the Eagle’s Nest because of its prominent mountain setting.
It is separate from the Berghof, Hitler’s former summer residence near Berchtesgaden.
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Following the Second World War, the Kehlsteinhaus was designated a historical monument associated with Germany’s Nazi past.
The property is currently owned by the state of Bavaria and remains a significant historical site.
Authorities have not provided details about the extent of damage caused by the blaze or whether the structure suffered permanent damage.
Police investigations are continuing to determine how the fire started and whether criminal activity was involved.
