Fire hits Hitler's former retreat in Germany

A massive fire hit the "Eagle's Nest" or Khelsteinhaus, Adolf Hitler's famous retreat in southern Germany, on Friday (23). Around 200 firefighters were sent to the scene to contain the fire.

The construction is located at the top of the Kehlstein mountain, at an altitude of 1,834, in the city of Berchtesgaden, in the German state of Bavaria and close to the border with Austria. According to the police, who spoke this Saturday (24), officers found the building "completely on fire" when they arrived at the scene.

No one was inside the building and there were no injuries. Access to the road leading to the site was blocked.

Firefighters worked for hours to contain the fire. Police spokeswoman Lisa Maier said rescuers had difficulty extinguishing the flames due to the altitude. According to the Bild newspaper, the building was seriously damaged.

A man was temporarily detained nearby. Police have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and the suspect's possible connection is being investigated. According to Bild, the hypothesis of arson is being analyzed.

Built in 1938 as a guest house for Nazi officials and their guests, the building sits above Berchtesgaden. Hitler used it occasionally, which earned him the nickname "Hitler's Teahouse". The location is separate from his nearby summer residence, the Berghof.