Crime-and-justice — accidents

Elderly Resident Dies in Berlin Apartment Fire as Police Probe Cause

Tragedy struck a Berlin high-rise when flames trapped an elderly tenant. Now, investigators are piecing together how the blaze began—and whether it could have been prevented.

, and Administrator

2026 January 10 . 3:06 AM

1 min read

This is a picture of a building. On the right there are benches, desk, board, windows and wall. On... — This is a picture of a building. On the right there are benches, desk, board, windows and wall. On the left there are windows, desk, candles and a fireplace. In the center of the picture there are lights. This is an edited picture.

Elderly Resident Dies in Berlin Apartment Fire as Police Probe Cause

A deadly fire broke out in a Berlin apartment on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services rushed to the scene in Prenzlauer Berg after a resident reported hearing a fire alarm. An 88-year-old tenant was later found dead inside the flat. The blaze started in a multi-family building on Greifswalder Straße. Firefighters arrived quickly and brought the flames under control. The body of the elderly resident was discovered in the kitchen. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. The arson unit of the state criminal police is treating the case as a possible instance of negligent arson. So far, no suspects have been named, and the homicide division is examining the circumstances. The incident was first reported around 4 p.m. by a neighbour who heard the alarm clock. Authorities have not yet released further details about the victim or the exact origin of the fire. The investigation into the fatal fire remains ongoing. Police and fire officials continue to examine evidence from the scene. No charges have been filed, and the cause of the fire has not yet been confirmed.