Joachim Herrmann Vows Full Restoration of Kehlsteinhaus After Fire

The Bavarian state government ordered a full reconstruction of the Kehlsteinhaus on Friday night after a fire largely destroyed the structure. Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann stated that officials would restore the building to preserve its historical memory. The site is located on the peak of Obersalzberg in southern Germany.

Police arrested a 33-year-old German citizen in connection with the blaze. The suspect has local ties but does not reside in the area. Prosecutors identified signs of mental illness in the detainee and sent him to a psychiatric facility following questioning. Authorities ruled out a political motive and found no evidence that other individuals were involved.

The fire alert triggered at 9:15 pm when a smoke detector activated. Firefighters from six municipalities, the Bavarian Red Cross, and mountain rescue services arrived at the scene by 9:50 pm. They found the building completely ablaze. Approximately 200 personnel responded to the incident. No injuries were reported, and no one was found inside the structure.

Access to the site presented major logistical challenges. The building sits at an altitude of 1,834 metres and required heavy breathing apparatus for entry. Strong winds, rain, and the season's first snowfall complicated the operation. Police spokesperson Lisa Maier noted that these conditions hampered the firefighting efforts. Crews withdrew overnight after several hours of work.

The fire remained active at 7:00 am on Saturday before appearing to be out later that morning. Smoke continued to rise from the site. A police spokesperson told Bild that the house was damaged to a large extent and unlikely to be saved. Officers closed the road leading to the retreat during the emergency response.

The Kehlsteinhaus was built between 1937 and 1938. Adolf Hitler formally inaugurated the retreat on his birthday in 1939. It remained one of the few undamaged monuments from that era. Since 1952, the site has operated as a restaurant and hosts an exhibition by the Institute for Contemporary History regarding the Nazi past. Visitors access the location via a mountain road, a tunnel, and a 124-metre lift buried in the rock. The building's website describes it as a monument to the insanity of the regime.

Officials indicated that restoration talks would begin with local authorities, historians, and conservators. Herrmann emphasized the importance of continuing the work of remembrance. A news conference regarding the incident was scheduled for Saturday.