Major Fire Engulfs Former State Operetta in Dresden

A significant fire broke out at the former State Operetta in Dresden-Leuben, prompting a large-scale response from emergency services. Over 100 firefighters have been deployed, battling the blaze that has created a thick plume of smoke visible across the city. Authorities have issued warnings to local residents, advising them to stay indoors.

According to fire department spokesperson Michael Klahre, the fire has completely engulfed the structure. The operation to extinguish the flames is expected to continue into the early morning hours. In precautionary measures, two nearby residential buildings have been evacuated.

The former operetta venue, which has been unoccupied for several years, is the focus of an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Due to the heavy smoke and the dense residential area surrounding the site, officials have urged residents within a 1,000-meter radius to close windows and doors and to turn off ventilation systems.

In an alert issued through the Nina warning app, residents were informed of the smoke emanating from the burning roof structure on Pirnaer Landstraße, a major thoroughfare in eastern Dresden. The road has been completely closed off, affecting local public transportation services.

As of now, no individuals have been found within the building, though one firefighter required medical attention for circulatory issues. Firefighters have been unable to combat the fire from inside the building, leading to the decision to abandon efforts to save the roof structure, allowing the fire to consume it entirely.

The fire department has also issued a statement urging onlookers to stay away from the area. They reported complications with the use of thermal imaging drones due to the presence of two unauthorized civilian drones, which hindered aerial reconnaissance efforts. Authorities have since identified the operator of one of the drones, emphasizing the potential hazards such incidents pose to both the success of the operation and the safety of personnel involved.

This incident follows another fire earlier in the day at an abandoned building in Dresden's Neustadt area. Firefighters managed to bring that fire under control with the assistance of drone technology, although residents were similarly warned about smoke exposure.

Historically, the State Operetta in Dresden has a rich legacy as a cultural institution, dating back over 240 years. It occupied its previous location in Leuben since 1947 before relocating to a new venue in the city center in late 2016 due to budgetary constraints that threatened its existence.