Fire at Rheinmetall construction site in Hesse - arson suspected

Arson suspected Fire at Rheinmetall construction site in Hesse As of: October 30, 2026 • 11:40 a.m

Several construction machines burned at a construction site belonging to the defense company Rheinmetall at Kassel-Calden Airport. The police suspect arson. State security is also investigating.

On Friday night, several construction machines burned out on a construction site at Kassel-Calden Airport. According to the police's initial findings, the fire was deliberately set, officials said. Investigators are also looking into a possible political motive.

A new commercial area is currently being built at the old airfield. The weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall also wants to establish itself there with its logistics and drone sectors.

A witness noticed flames on the site on the B7 around 3:15 a.m. and alerted the police.

When emergency services arrived, three construction machines were on fire. Other nearby machines were also damaged during the extinguishing work.

Because a political motive for the crime cannot be ruled out, the State Security Criminal Inspectorate of the North Hesse Police Headquarters took over the investigation. It is still unclear who is behind the fire and what the background is.

The crime scene is cordoned off for forensics. The investigators are looking for witnesses.

Rheinmetall is investing more than 260 million euros in Kassel and at the airport in Calden, and the state of Hesse is investing another 25 million. While business representatives and the state government welcomed the construction of a logistics and drone testing center, there were also critical voices who rejected the expansion of the airport into - in their view - a "military hub for Rheinmetall".

This topic in the program: Broadcast: hessenschau.de, Three wheel loaders burn at the old airfield in Calden, October 30, 2026, 8:39 a.m. / State security investigates after fire on construction machinery in Calden, October 30, 2026, 9:26 a.m