Kissinger Hütte after major fire: tenants terminate, new building by 2026!

Kissinger Hütte after major fire: tenants terminate, new building by 2026!

In March 2025, a devastating fire occurred in the 111-year-old Kissinger Hütte in the Rhön-Grabfeld district. The flames not only destroyed the dining area of ​​the popular tourist restaurant, but also left significant smoke damage in the renovated part of the building with guest rooms. The tenants, siblings Diana and Dennis Tisma, have decided with a heavy heart to give up their lease, as [InFranken] reports. In an emotional message on social media, they thanked them for the beautiful memories they were able to make there. The Rhönklub Bad Kissingen branch, which owns the hut, is already looking for new tenants.

The Tismas are not the only ones affected by the tragedy. Manfred Egert, the chairman of the Rhönklub branch, is optimistic and is already planning to reopen the Kissinger Hütte in the first half of 2026. In order to advance the reconstruction, the rubble caused by the major fire is currently being cleared away. The new building should be ready by June 2026 at the latest. However, the Rhönklub is waiting for the final approval from the insurance company in order to start the approval process. Approval for this is expected in August 2025, according to [Fuldaer Zeitung].

Planned changes for the new cabin

The reconstruction plans include some innovative innovations. The existing mattress warehouse will be converted into double rooms and lounges for the staff. A barrier-free design is also planned, which includes a disabled toilet. An increased amount of damage caused by parts of the building that were not preserved, such as the basement ceiling, also prompted those responsible to integrate higher ceilings and install a fire-fighting water cistern and a photovoltaic system. The Rhönklub emphasizes that, despite the high level of willingness to donate, there is currently no prospect of funding from state or local funds.

The Kissinger Hütte has a long tradition. Built in 1914 as the König-Ludwig-Hütte, it was taken over by the Rhönklub in the 1920s. A comprehensive renovation worth over one million euros was carried out between 2019 and 2021. This historical significance makes the reopening an important project for the region.

Safety precautions in focus

The fire in March also reminds us of the essential importance of fire protection in catering establishments. Every year there are several hundred fires in the catering industry in Germany, often caused by overheated grease fires or electrical defects, as [G for Gastro] highlights. The safety of guests and staff should always be the top priority; preventative measures such as installing fire alarm systems and regular staff training help with this.

A lot of organizational and structural changes will be necessary for the future Kissinger Hütte in order to avoid such accidents and to ensure safety. Those responsible are aware of this challenge and are planning not only reconstruction, but also comprehensive awareness of fire safety issues.

The path to reopening the Kissinger Hütte is accompanied by hope and a clear plan. It remains to be seen how quickly the new tenants will be found and the construction work will progress. The region has learned a lesson from this incident and is determined to continue this tradition and let the Kissinger Hütte shine in new splendor.