A fire broke out early Thursday morning at the Berlin nightclub Renate in Friedrichshain. The fire started shortly after 2 a.m. in the outdoor garden area.
A video on X shows the front garden of the club in full flames. The Berlin fire department arrived quickly with 28 firefighters. They were able to control the fire soon after being called and put it out completely within an hour.
About 100 square meters of wooden fence burned down. Most of the fire was in the fenced garden, which is usually used as a beer garden. Thankfully, no one was hurt.
Building Largely Spared
The fire reached the club’s entrance area, and firefighters had to cut their way in with a chainsaw. They stopped the fire from spreading to nearby buildings. A tree in the middle of the courtyard also caught fire. Firefighters used a lift to get a better view of the scene.
By morning, the damage was clear: the wooden entrance was almost completely burned down, and the building behind it was covered in soot. One side of the fence was destroyed, and blackened remains were found near a small fountain. The club building and most of the garden didn’t seem to be badly affected.
Police have taped off the area, marking it as a crime scene.
Cause Still Unknown
At the time of the fire, there was no party happening. One man was inside the building in a studio above the club. He said he was listening to music when he saw sparks outside. When he looked out, he saw flames in the garden and called the fire department.
The cause of the fire is still unknown.
Club Set to Close in 2025
Last year, the club announced that it will close by the end of 2025. The lease will not be renewed, and the property is needed for the future expansion of the A100 highway. The club has been operating for many years in an old rental building.
