Berlin attack leaves well-known shopping mall severely damaged

Fire and police are still battling the blaze

Firefighters are still attempting to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring structures

Berlin's iconic Galeria mall, a mainstay in the bustling Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte, was severely damaged in a massive fire on Sunday. No injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the fire.

Firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 5 a.m. on Sunday. They worked around the clock to extinguish the fire, but the blaze was not brought under control until the evening. The building's roof had collapsed by day’s end.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated. According to police, arson is suspected, and no arrests have been made.

Arson investigation underway

Investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was intentionally set. A witness reported seeing a group of people throwing fireworks at the building before the fire started. It is the main avenue currently being pursued by arson detectives, though a definitive conclusion has not yet been reached.

The mall had recently undergone renovations and was set to reopen on Monday. The fire has caused extensive damage to the building and its contents. Fire officials say it could take months to repair the damage.

Galeria, an historic Berlin institution

Opened in 1905, the Galeria mall was initially called Kaufhaus Jandorf, after its original owners. Kaufhaus Jandorf was a commercial success, and by 1914 it was the largest department store in continental Europe. It was destroyed by bombs during the Second World War and rebuilt in 1951. In 1990, Kaufhaus Jandorf merged with another popular department store chain, Hertie. In 1996, Hertie was acquired by Karstadt, which in turn was acquired by Galeria Kaufhof in 2018. Galeria Kaufhof is a subsidiary of the Hudson's Bay Company.

The mall is home to numerous stores, restaurants, and a cinema. It is a popular shopping destination for both locals and tourists, and its closure will have a significant impact on the local economy.

The Berlin fire department is urging anyone with information about the fire to come forward.