German authorities have detained a suspect following a major fire at the Eagle’s Nest, the historic mountain retreat associated with Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler, in Bavaria.

The blaze broke out at the Kehlsteinhaus, located high above the town of Berchtesgaden in southern Germany, after emergency dispatchers received a fire alarm at about 9:15 p.m. on Friday.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene found the building engulfed in flames. Efforts to bring the fire under control were complicated by the difficult mountainous terrain, with the blaze still burning in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said approximately 200 emergency personnel had been deployed to tackle the incident. No injuries had been reported at the time of the announcement.

Authorities have launched an investigation to establish the cause of the fire and determine whether the detained individual was directly involved.

The Eagle’s Nest occupies a significant place in Germany’s history because of its association with Hitler and the Nazi regime. Completed in 1938, the mountain retreat was used by Hitler for official meetings and as a venue for receiving senior officials and military commanders during the Second World War.

The surrounding Alpine landscape also featured in Nazi propaganda, which sought to portray Hitler as someone who appreciated nature and outdoor life.

Unlike many structures linked to the Nazi leadership, the Eagle’s Nest survived the end of the war in 1945. It has since been transformed into a popular tourist attraction and mountain inn, drawing visitors interested in its architecture, location and historical significance.

The site also serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed under Nazi rule, including the systematic murder of millions of European Jews and the deaths of tens of millions of people during the Second World War.

Further details about the suspect and the circumstances surrounding the fire had not been released as the investigation continued.