Firefighters returned to the historic Obersalzberg site days after the initial blaze to extinguish flare-ups from smoldering embers, as German police hold a suspect on arson charges and the building remains closed indefinitely

dpa

MUNICH — The Eagle’s Nest - known in Germany as the Kehlsteinhaus - and all visitor operations (bus shuttle and elevator) are completely closed until further notice, visitors to southern Germany should note.

Fire broke out at the Eagle’s Nest mountain retreat in Bavaria that was once used by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. The building was largely destroyed by the blaze, with the damage estimated to amount to millions of euros.

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The Eagle’s Nest, situated at an altitude of more than 1,800 metres, was built under the Nazi regime in the 1930s as part of the complex used by Hitler on the Obersalzberg.

It has been used as a restaurant since 1952. However, the establishment was closed on Friday and no one was injured in the blaze.

Hitler visited Eagle’s Nest several times to receive diplomats and other foreign guests, according to the local tourism association in Berchtesgaden.

However, politically, the retreat “remained of little significance” and was mainly used by senior Nazi officials for leisure purposes and private celebrations, according to the association.

Today, it houses an exhibition highlighting its Nazi history.

The initial, major fire broke out at Eagle’s Nest last week and German police arrested a suspect on suspicion of arson.

Days ago, firefighters were again dispatched to the historic site, atop the Obersalzberg peak and extinguished flames again as the fire flared up because of smouldering embers. That is not unusual after the main blaze has been extinguished, an officer says.

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