“Building Alarm Triggered”: Window of Munich Luxury Department Store Shattered – What’s Behind It?
Munich, June 29, 2026 – A loud bang reported by a witness shortly before midnight on Saturday at the Ludwig Beck department store on Marienplatz led to the deployment of police. Officers found no evidence of a criminal act, with initial investigations pointing to thermal stress caused by the building’s air conditioning system.
No Evidence of Criminal Activity
The incident occurred around 11:30 PM on Saturday, June 27, when a passerby reported a loud noise at the entrance of the traditional Ludwig Beck department store at Rathauseck. The building’s alarm system was also triggered. “The witness reported hearing a loud bang,” a police spokesperson told AZ. “The building’s alarm was then also triggered.”
However, an extensive search by the responding police officers yielded no signs of a criminal offense. No suspicious persons or objects were found at the scene. Police stated that video surveillance footage would likely be reviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.
Thermal Glass Breakage Suspected Due to Temperature Differences
According to the police spokesperson, the current assessment suggests that the air conditioning system running inside the department store, combined with the high temperatures outside, caused the glass of the entrance door to shatter. This phenomenon is known as “thermal glass breakage.”
Thermal glass breakage occurs due to significant temperature differences within a single pane of glass. When intense sunlight heats the exterior of the glass, it expands, while the interior remains cool due to air conditioning. This creates immense tension on the glass surface, leading to breakage.
The Federal Association of German Experts and Specialists (BDFS) states that thermal glass breakages, along with mechanical breakages or a combination of both, are the most common types of glass damage. “As of today, there is no guarantee to completely rule out these dangers. However, thorough planning can identify and avoid most problems in advance,” the association writes on its website.
Damaged Glass Door Already Replaced
The Munich fire department had temporarily boarded up the damaged section of the department store with wood. As of Monday, the damaged glass door has already been replaced. “The damaged glass door has since been replaced, so the entrance area can be fully used again,” a company spokeswoman confirmed on Monday in response to an AZ inquiry.
The spokeswoman stated that the company could not comment on the exact cause of the damage at this time, as they lacked confirmed findings. They also requested understanding that no further information regarding the incident or internal procedures could be provided.
Who Pays for Glass Breakage Due to Heat?
Thermal glass breakage typically results from impermissible temperature exposure to a pane of glass or excessively high temperature differences between the interior and exterior. If the pane was installed defectively or the cut edges were poorly finished, the manufacturer or the installing company may be liable.
However, if a tenant places a sofa directly against the pane, they are responsible for the glass breakage and must cover the damage. In the case of a rental property, if the stress fracture occurred due to structural peculiarities in the exterior, the landlord or the condominium association is responsible. Depending on the case, household insurance or liability insurance may provide coverage.
For car windshields, the ADAC advises checking in advance what exactly is covered. “This cannot be stated generally but is individually regulated from insurance to insurance,” an ADAC spokesperson told AZ.
Source: Abendzeitung München
