Rainbow house burned down in Zwickau: suspect caught!

Rainbow house burned down in Zwickau: suspect caught!

Last Sunday evening, a devastating fire broke out in the former residential and social house “Rainbogenhaus” in Zwickau. The fire department was on site with 63 firefighters to fight the flames that were emanating from the empty building. The first emergency calls were received by the fire department and police at around 10:50 p.m. Fortunately, there were no injuries as the home was only evacuated a few days ago. The operator Kerstin Täuber had recently announced the end of the Rainbow House in an emotional Facebook post and thanked the movers, supporters and last residents. These had been moved out by June 15th, so now all that remains is the charred building, which burned to the ground, leaving six-figure property damage. The fire is considered particularly tragic, especially since the Rainbow House has been a political issue for years and was proposed to be closed by the city in 2013.

The night after the fire, police arrested a 43-year-old man near the scene of the fire who is suspected of setting the fire. The suspect is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment and it is unclear whether he was a former Rainbow House resident. The incident raises questions about the safety and condition of similar accommodation facilities, as the Rainbow House was known for its deficiencies and endangering its structural integrity.

A political issue for many years

The Rainbow House was built in the 1970s as construction workers' accommodation. Despite the constant discussions about its structural condition, Täuber stood up for the last residents and found a new home for them in a former apprentice dormitory on Erlmühlenstrasse. There are currently 21 women and men living there who have settled in well and found peace.

The city of Zwickau issued an ultimatum to close it last year, which ultimately led to the last 20 residents moving. Building mayor Silvia Hänel offered the operator the option of using another building, but the decision was ultimately made in favor of closing the Rainbow House. The demolition of the charred building is now pending and must be secured before the exact costs can be determined.

The cause of the fire has not yet been finally determined, but fire damage prevention and safety standards remain key issues in the city even after this incident. According to the Institute for Loss Prevention and Research (IFS), there are significant fire damage statistics that could be important for future safety standards. To find out more, visit the website IFS.

In addition to the empty buildings in the region, thoughts remain with the former residents and the operator, who is faced with a great loss after all the years of fighting for closure. The look is forward as the term “Rainbow House” enters Zwickau’s history.