LEIPZIG, Germany, July 30 (dpa) - A fire broke out early on Thursday at a historic castle used as a hotel in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt, emergency services said.
The roof of Wallhausen Castle, near the town of Sangerhausen, was fully ablaze, with 124 firefighters deployed from across the surrounding area.
No one was injured, according to initial police reports. Hotel guests and staff were able to leave the building safely.
Residents in Wallhausen and nearby communities were urged to keep windows and doors closed and switch off air-conditioning systems because of heavy smoke.
The fire broke out at around 3:10 am (0110 GMT). Its cause remained unclear and police were unable to provide an initial estimate of the damage.
The protected Renaissance building was constructed between 1606 and 1613 by the von der Asseburg noble family. The family lost the castle during post-war land reforms in 1945. It was later owned by the local municipality and used as a school until 2004.
Privately owned since 2005, the castle is now operated as a hotel, restaurant and exhibition venue.
--NNN-dpa