Simson fans mourn: GDR treasures lost in fire in Nauen!

Simson fans mourn: GDR treasures lost in fire in Nauen!

On the night of February 16th to 17th, 2025, the unthinkable happened: A fire destroyed a storage and workshop in Nauen im Havelland, which was an extremely important place for many Simson fans. The fire devil raged around 11:30 p.m. and left a trail of destruction behind: irreplaceable vehicles such as four S51s, two Schwalben, a Simson scooter and a quad went up in the flames. A spare parts warehouse and a straw press also fell victim to the fire, which severely affected the affected members of the Simson community “Luchkolben Hanffabrik”. According to maz-online.de the estimated damage is to around 9,000 euros for the people affected.

The local fire brigade command under Pascal Chemnitz stated that numerous firefighters were deployed to extinguish the flames. This was no easy task as the freezing temperatures caused water in the hoses to freeze. The fire not only ignited the warehouse, but also the photovoltaic system on the roof. Residents were also affected and were asked to keep windows and doors closed as potentially toxic fumes were released. The extinguishing work lasted until the morning, with an expert supposed to intervene at the scene of the fire to determine the exact cause. The entire facility is classified as completely burned out, and the damage is estimated to be in the millions, reports rbb24.de.

Solidarity and support

The tragic losses have shocked the Simson community in Nauen, and many have expressed their dismay. Chemnitz, who also lost an unrestored moped as a barn find, and other members have launched a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of collecting 15,000 euros for the affected friends and especially for Marvin and Laura. Support can be provided either directly via GoFundMe or by contacting Daniela Chemnitz on 0173/2065982 or by email at daflna@aol.com.

A positive development amid the tragedy is that at least some vehicles such as an AWO (a four-stroke motorcycle) and an MZ motorcycle were saved from Zschopau. Despite all the sadness, there is also a ray of hope: The Simson meeting in Hertefeld is planned for September 13, 2025, where the community wants to come together to preserve the spirit of Simson and keep the tradition alive.

The story of Samson

Simson, a brand with a long and storied history, dates back to 1740 when the first base was built as a cutting mill on the site. The company originally manufactured weapons and over the years became particularly known for the production of motorcycles, especially mopeds, which became enormously popular from the 1960s onwards. The production of these cult vehicles continued until the 1990s, as can be found on Wikipedia).

The tragedy of Nauen shows not only the fragility of material goods, but also the strength and cohesion of a community that stands up for its passion and its history. In these difficult times, it is important that we stick together and support those affected wherever we can. The fate of these Simson fans touches us and reminds us how quickly everything can be lost.