Historic Hesse Mill Destroyed in Suspected Arson Attack Last Week
A historic water mill in Hesse has been destroyed by fire after a suspected arson attack last week. The Grüneismühle in Beiseförth, part of the Schwalm-Eder region, had long stood as a local landmark before flames engulfed the building on Thursday evening. Authorities now believe the blaze was started intentionally. Emergency services received reports of the fire at around 5:35 p.m. on Thursday. When crews arrived, they found the centuries-old farm and mill structure already ablaze. A man was discovered outside the property and rescued from the scene.
Investigators quickly gathered evidence pointing to deliberate ignition. The suspect, who was not the mill's owner, later admitted to starting the fire himself. He had been staying in the increasingly derelict building for some time. Police provisionally arrested him and took him to the station in Melsungen for questioning.
The blaze caused an estimated €50,000 in damage, completely destroying the historic site. The owner has since announced plans to demolish what remains of the house.
Before the fire, the Grüneismühle held cultural and historical value in the region. Community-led efforts and heritage projects had aimed to preserve its structure, though details of these initiatives were not widely documented. The incident has left the once-prominent mill in ruins, with no immediate plans for reconstruction. The suspect remains in custody as investigations continue. The loss marks the end of a local landmark that had stood for generations.
