Fire in the autonomous youth center: Police are looking for witnesses after the arson attack!

Fire in the autonomous youth center: Police are looking for witnesses after the arson attack!

On the night of Tuesday, June 18, 2025, there was a fire in the Autonomous Youth Center (AJH) in Bargteheide. As the ln online Reportedly, the fire broke out on the outside area of ​​the container facility. Over 50 firefighters from the volunteer fire departments in Bargteheide and Elmenhorst were on duty for six hours to fight the flames. Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the cause of the fire is still unclear.

Fire department spokesman Joachim Hollweg reported heavy smoke and an open fire on a covered wooden terrace. The fire spread into the false ceiling of the container complex, which significantly increased the amount of smoke. In order to get the danger under control, breathing apparatus was used, the metal roof was opened using a rescue saw, and the fog extinguishing system was used. Eight emergency vehicles were on site while the police cordoned off the area on Am Volkspark Street.

The investigation and the backstory

The Ahrensburg criminal police have started the investigation and are looking for witnesses who can provide information about the cause of the fire. What is striking is that this is not the first incident in the AJH; There were only minor fires outside in May 2024. taz also notes that the sofa and wooden beams in the youth center were destroyed by the fire and that a seating hut and a fence were also affected, which indicates high flames.

This raises the question of the security of the Autonomous Youth Center: In the context of previous attacks on the left center and the ongoing right-wing extremist attacks, the assumption of an arson attack is not far-fetched. The AJH board had already planned a summer festival in advance, which would take place from June 7th to 9th - a sign that the community stands together despite all adversities.

A look at the development of right-wing extremist violence

The incidents in the AJH are part of a worrying development in Schleswig-Holstein. While 104 right-wing extremist acts of violence were counted in 2022, this number rose to 136 in 2023. Children and young people are also severely affected, as the employee of the Lübeck regional advisory team emphasizes. Mirror Online informs about a recent case of a right-wing extremist arsonist who was convicted for his actions. This makes it clear that the fight against such attacks must be continued continuously.

Mayor Gabriele Hettwer found out about the operation on site and thanked the firefighters for their rapid response. The insurance company has now been informed of the incident and the damage is currently being recorded. While it was decided to renovate the dilapidated containers, the district rejected the request for a new building for the AJH. However, a temporary solution for the young people is in sight, as the times of use in the new JugendKulturHaus, which will open next Friday, are in prospect.

It remains to be seen what further steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the AJH. The fact is that the community around the youth center continues to exist, supported by the hope and commitment of the young people and their supporters.