Fatal fire at a care facility in Berlin's Kreuzberg district

A fire broke out on the morning of Saturday, September 19, 2026, at a care facility located on Waldemarstrasse in the Kreuzberg district of Berlin. The Berlin Fire Department was alerted by an automated alarm system at 09:54, mobilizing 157 emergency personnel to the scene. Authorities confirmed the death of one individual, while at least 25 others sustained injuries, primarily due to smoke inhalation. One person required cardiopulmonary resuscitation on-site and was successfully revived, though their condition remained life-threatening at the time of the response.

The blaze originated in a single patient's room, which was completely destroyed by flames, while heavy smoke affected the entire five-story building. Firefighters managed to contain the fire to the room of origin, preventing its spread to other parts of the facility. All residents were evacuated, and the fire was reported as fully extinguished by the early afternoon. While emergency services classified the event as a mass casualty incident, the exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.