Overview
- A police patrol spotted flames around 4:30 a.m., and the roof was in full blaze shortly afterward.
- The roof structure burned out and partially collapsed as the fire spread through multiple floors.
- No injuries were reported, but the building remains unsafe to enter pending a structural assessment.
- Police put the damage well above €10 million and say the cause is unknown as investigators probe in all directions with an external expert.
- Officials reported the historic staircase is lost, and regional responders including THW and a Leverkusen plant fire brigade supported the effort.