Renate shares update following fire at Berlin club, will open as usual today

Berlin nightclub Renate has shared an update in the wake of fire breaking out in the venue’s garden in the early hours of this morning (June 19).

In a statement sent to Mixmag, Renate spokesperson Caitlin Russell said: “While the initial footage and reporting of the fire was very alarming, we are relieved to say that the reality is not as scary as it first seemed."

A reporter for Berliner Morgenpost was at the scene, capturing footage of the venue ablaze.

Going on to detail what happened, the club reveals it was notified of a fire at around 2:AM, which started at the fence of the venue near the entrance on Alt-Stralau.

The fire then “spread to the entrance building and a small area of the garden”, but “did not spread to the main club building or creative studios, and luckily, most of the garden area remains untouched.”

Damage to the venue is still being assessed, but the indoor was untouched and its indoor programming will not be affected. The venue is due to host a Syntop x saHHara party tonight and will be open as usual.

The damage to the garden was localised in an area reserved for relaxing, meaning the section with the DJ booth, bar and production elements is able to be utilised with some clean-up and reorganisation.

The venue has today posted a video on its Instagram story of the outdoors with the caption: “Garden is still here”.

Its expansive Fête de la Musique event on Saturday - utilising six floors and its outdoor area - will therefore also go ahead as planned.

A different entrance at the gate of its garden on Markgrafendam, which was not affected by the fire, will be used.

Russell notes: “We are in shock, this is a big blow right before one of our biggest weekends of the year. We have been planning this weekend for quite some time, as we wanted to enjoy our last Fete de la Musique in the neighbourhood. However, with some work and reorganisation, we are able to still go ahead.”

The club representative goes on to detail that an investigation of the venue and studios found that they were empty at the time, and there were no injuries.

The source of the fire and whether it started inside or outside the premises is still unknown. According to the club, authorities said reports of the sound of an explosion are likely due to the results of the fire burning, not starting.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Editor & Digital Director, follow him on Twitter