Fire drama in Beelitz: Burning oak and Gertrud's 111th birthday!

Fire drama in Beelitz: Burning oak and Gertrud's 111th birthday!

In Beelitz, on the northern outskirts of the city, a twelve-meter-high oak tree caught fire last weekend. The fire department had to intervene quickly, but the tree could no longer be saved and was felled. The police investigation showed that spontaneous combustion can be ruled out, which is why it is now assumed that it was arson. The damage is estimated at around 5,000 euros. The MAZ reports this on its website, which also links an interesting article about the importance of the oak in our culture. Oaks are not only important tree species, they can easily live for over a thousand years and can be found in many languages ​​​​under similar names, such as in English as 'oak' or in Dutch as 'eik', explains a comprehensive overview on Wiktionary.

Another ray of hope in Beelitz will be visible on December 19th, when the annual magic of lights starts. This festive event brings new attractions, including a Polar Express for the little ones and over 1000 additional parking spaces for visitors. Tickets are already available online and promise an entertaining experience for guests big and small.

A round number is celebrated

In keeping with the festive mood, Gertrud Oertel has the great fortune of celebrating her 111th birthday today, November 11th. The lady, who is currently the second oldest person in Germany, lives in a seniors' shared apartment in Berlin and has her roots in Seddin and Michendorf. Her nephew plans to visit her weekly and also congratulate her on her next big birthday, which certainly promises to be a nice celebration.

The celebrations in Beelitz show how diverse life is here. It's not just trees and festivals that shape the picture, but also fates like Sándor's. The 25-year-old Hungarian, who lived homeless in Werder (Havel) for seven years after a failed trip to London, shows how the local community can support people to overcome life's traumas.

Arson as a serious problem?

Recently there have been increasing reports of fires that apparently did not break out by chance. For example, there was an incident in August in a homeless shelter in Munich, where a mattress caught fire and the residents had to evacuate. A 30-year-old resident was temporarily arrested, but he resisted arrest. In this case, too, the police are investigating dangerous arson, which has reignited the public discourse about fire protection and safety.

These alarming developments remind us of the importance of considering community security alongside celebratory occasions. While the city prepares for the magic of lights and Gertrud Oertel celebrates her impressive age, it remains to be hoped that the investigation into the fires will soon lead to clarification and restore security.