Thursday 11 August 2026: Roof truss fire in Connewitz and one year of the Rabet Leisure Pool Video

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A woman sustained minor injuries in a roof truss fire in Connewitz. Around 30 people had to be evacuated. Also: One year after opening, the Rabet Leisure Pool has reported extremely positive results. The LZ summarises the key events from Tuesday, 11 August 2026, in Leipzig, Saxony and beyond.

Roof truss fire in Connewitz: “The next disaster”

A roof truss fire in Leipzig-Connewitz kept the emergency services on their toes for many hours from early morning onwards. According to police, based on current information, the fire is believed to have broken out in a flat and spread to the roof truss of the block of flats on Wolfgang-Heinze-Straße. The emergency call was made at around 02:45.

The residents of the building and a neighbouring building were evacuated at short notice and temporarily accommodated on an LVB bus. A 38-year-old woman suffered minor injuries from smoke inhalation and was treated as an outpatient. Firefighting operations were still ongoing in the afternoon, with flames flaring up repeatedly: “Fighting the fire is proving extremely difficult,” confirmed fire service incident commander Mathias Bessel to the LZ.

A tradesman, who had woken up at around 00:30 due to trouble sleeping, became aware of the fire about two hours after it had broken out and made his way to the scene. The problem, according to the 61-year-old – who says he is familiar with the affected house from previous renovation work – is that the fire started on the roof; in his view, the materials used there meant the fire spread rapidly and could not be extinguished.

According to initial reports, the residents of the building – which also houses the popular pub ‘Black Label’ – have been accommodated elsewhere at short notice, for example with friends. “It’s ‘the next disaster’ in Connewitz,” says one person, alluding to a similar fire on Stockartstraße in December 2025. Yet there are also expressions of gratitude towards the fire brigade, who have been fighting tirelessly for many, many hours. Around 50 firefighters are on continuous duty. Appeals for donations are already circulating. Meanwhile, the police are investigating the cause of the fire.

One year of the Rabet Leisure Pool: a positive review – and hopes for the future

By contrast, the Rabet Leisure Pool can report a positive outcome. Exactly one year after its opening, expectations have been exceeded, the Leipzig Group – which manages the leisure pools – announced on Tuesday.

The pool on Otto-Runki-Platz in the east of Leipzig opened its doors on 11 August 2025 after a construction period of just over four and a half years. The summary of the first year: 163,491 visitors came during this period, significantly more than the hoped-for 120,000. In addition, the sports pool was used by 27 contractual partners, including schools, clubs, the riot police, the German Life Saving Association (DLRG), the adult education centre and the fire service. The Rabet Sports Pool has become a key venue, particularly for club sports. According to the Leipzig-based group, the water polo team of SC DHfK Leipzig e. V. held exclusive sessions on 26 weekends. In addition, the pool offers its own comprehensive range of courses.

“The enormous interest shows that, with the Rabet sports pool, we are meeting the demand in Leipzig,” says Martin Gräfe, managing director of Leipziger Sportbäder. “The pool creates additional capacity for schools and clubs and is also an important meeting place for people – not just in the east of Leipzig.”

Facility manager Kay Leichsenring is also optimistic about the future of the sports pool, but expresses one wish: “I would be delighted if even more people with disabilities made use of our inclusive facilities, because we have the best possible conditions.” These include a pool lift, indoor-suitable conversion wheelchairs, and accessible changing rooms and toilet facilities.

What the LZ reported on today:

The Elbe Cycle Route’s road to success (D-Route 10): Cyclists can now help shape the future of this classic cycle tour

Leipzig Magistrates’ Court: Trial against Melanie Müller cancelled due to illness

Grand opening of 20blue.arts on 14 August: A new gallery for art and society in Leipzig

Hello Leipzig: How Tuesday 11 August 2026 gets underway Video

On 15 and 20 August: Exhibition showcases visions for the future of the School Biology Centre

Development project on the Karl-Heine Canal: LEWO AG is now also planning 85 flats as part of the subsidised housing scheme

What else has been happening:

The Leipzig Public Prosecutor’s Office and police have reported a breakthrough in the investigation into a suspected love scammer.

A body has been recovered from Lake Moritz near Naunhof; it has been identified as a 19-year-old who had recently been reported missing.

Due to several forest fires in Hesse, there is an urgent appeal to conserve water.

A Syrian court has sentenced former President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted at the end of 2024, to death in absentia: the 60-year-old is believed to be in Russia, and extradition currently seems unlikely.