Fire at Historic Farmhouse Ruled as Intentional Arson: Susann Schmidt’s Journey to Recovery

When the police then spoke of arson, that was the next shock for Susann Schmidt: “I thought they were mistaken. That doesn’t go into my head and my heart. I didn’t want to believe it. That just can’t be true. Who does that?

But an expert with a sniffer dog finally confirmed the result. “There is no longer any doubt. It was arson, that’s serious. That hurts because the person accepted that people would be harmed.”

In the first few days after the fire, people came to check on Susann Schmidt and to help. A neighbor brought home-baked bread, another took the laundry to be washed. “The electricity was cut off everywhere here because of the water used to extinguish the fire.”

Others brought food for the animals, and a vacationer helped with the harvest. Because frost was forecast, the vegetables also had to be left from the field. “Everyday life never takes a break.” Now the fruit crates are there waiting for the juicer, the wood for the winter has to be split. “But first I need an electrician to repair the high-voltage connection.”

It’s the same with the donated tarpaulins. There is a lack of equipment and craftsmen to install them. “We can’t even think about clearing it out yet, but neighbors have already offered to help.” All of this has to be organized and coordinated; Susann Schmidt sometimes doesn’t know where to find the strength to do it.

She doesn’t even want to think about the flower bulbs that she had ordered before the fire. “It would be so nice if someone would come and dig these up for me before winter!”

The monument protection authority was also on site shortly after the fire. “Of course they were very shocked and sad and had promised me help, even though we also know that the monument protection authority is not swimming in money.”

There is also close cooperation with the community. She doesn’t have any money either, but the fact that the mayor is behind her is good for Susann Schmidt. “He said I can call and contact him at any time.”

She stays in touch with friends and former guests via social media, where a chip campaign was also started.

One topic that Susann Schmidt is very concerned about is insurance. “I know I’m underinsured. But with such a large asset, you can’t insure all buildings like residential buildings,” she says. All she can do is hope that her insurance company has a certain amount of leeway that she can use and actively look for.

This is not an isolated case, says insurance broker Constantin Graf von Faber-Castell from Erfurt: “Insuring buildings such as old farms, manor houses or even monuments is not always easy.”

The structural condition is often such that insurance companies often only provide insurance with exclusions, surcharges or not at all. “These houses are often owned by idealists who are already financially challenged by the renovation and renovation. Finding the right insurance premium can quickly become difficult. Unfortunately, the result is underinsurance.”

Mainly her daughter maintains contact with the police – Susann Schmidt also feels well looked after. “But my daughter is a little worried about me. What if the arsonist comes back?”

Susann Schmidt doesn’t yet know what she will do if he is actually caught. “You can’t undo anything. Everything stays broken. That’s why I don’t want to think about it now.”