Helicopter carries crane parts to winterise fire-damaged Kehlsteinhaus

A specialist transport helicopter is carrying crane parts and building materials to the fire-damaged Kehlsteinhaus above Berchtesgaden as workers prepare the building for winter, BR reported. Plans include fitting a temporary roof.

A tower crane must first be assembled to build the roof. The helicopter is bringing its components to the mountain, which is about 1,800 metres high, and helping with the assembly.

Workers and materials can also reach the building by the Kehlstein lift, which runs through a 124-metre tunnel. The lift survived the fire largely intact and has been cleared for use after a technical inspection.

The measures are intended to protect the building as much as possible from the winter weather. The tourism association that operates it says the temporary roof and other safety work should be finished by early December. A few centimetres of snow are already on the Kehlstein, while calm autumn weather is forecast over the coming days.

Police are continuing to investigate the fire, which nearly destroyed the building. A 33-year-old German man is suspected. He previously lived in Berchtesgaden and was most recently based in Berlin. Police have not provided further details about the investigation.

The Kehlsteinhaus was built by the Nazis for representational purposes and most recently operated as a mountain inn.