Fire largely destroys Hitler's Eagle's Nest in Bavaria; man, 33, arrested

A fire on Friday night badly damaged the Kehlsteinhaus, the former Alpine retreat of Adolf Hitler known as the Eagle's Nest, in the southern German state of Bavaria. Police said nobody was injured and firefighters found no one inside.

A smoke alarm alerted dispatchers at about 9.15pm on Friday, according to the Guardian. Firefighters arrived at about 9.50pm to find the whole building in flames. About 200 personnel took part, and crews from six municipalities were involved, along with the Red Cross, mountain rescue and police.

The building stands at around 1,800 metres, and police said the terrain made the fire hard to control. The Guardian reported that strong wind, rain and the year's first snow hampered the effort, and firefighters pulled out overnight. Local media reported the site was largely destroyed, and the public was urged to avoid the area.

Police arrested a 33-year-old German man. BBC reported he was stopped on a motorcycle near the scene. The Guardian said he had ties to the area but did not live there. A criminal investigation has been opened.

Prosecutor Rainer Vietze said a psychiatric report found signs of possible mental illness, so diminished responsibility might be assumed. A possible political motive is also being examined, though the investigation is at an early stage. Police official Gerhart Holzinger said nothing currently points to other suspects.

Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria's interior minister, said the site would under no circumstances remain a ruin and that the work of remembrance must continue. The building, built by the Nazis and completed in 1938, survived the war and later became a tourist destination with a mountain inn.