The guesthouse in Ehden ravaged by a fire. (Photo provided by L'Orient Today's correspondent, Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — A fire broke out at dawn on Thursday in the Karaz guesthouse, located in the central square of Ehden, in northern Lebanon's Zgharta district, damaging its tarred wooden roof and old tiles, as well as a large part of its interior, before being brought under control.
The building is 150 years old and had been restored in accordance with artistic and architectural standards, according to a statement from the Zgharta-Ehden municipality, making Karaz "a major tourist landmark." The fire comes at a particularly damaging time, as its managers were preparing to welcome visitors for the summer season.
Ehden is known for its long history, as one of the oldest towns in the area, and its rich natural landscape, nestled in the mountains of northern Lebanon, on the edge of Qadisha Valley.
The guesthouse "is a masterpiece of architecture and engineering, steeped in history," the municipality wrote. At the end of the 20th century, it was home to a summer school, and has since hosted several Ehden festivals and accommodated artistic, political, and literary figures.
The municipality thanked the rescuers, Civil Defense teams, and volunteers who worked to control the fire.
On its Instagram page, the Karaz team wrote: "A terrible and unfortunate fire has ravaged Karaz. Fortunately, the team is safe and sound and no one was injured."