- 32-year-old man is in custody for arson
Investigators have arrested a 32-year-old man suspected of setting fire to a parked car in the Böblingen district. The suspect is accused of arson and was taken into custody, as reported jointly by the Stuttgart police and public prosecutor's office. No motive has been given so far.
The fire in front of an apartment building in Schönaich last week caused significant damage. A resident of the house was slightly injured due to smoke inhalation, as reported by a police spokesperson.
The 32-year-old is also suspected of attempting to set the same car on fire in July. In January of last year, he is believed to have set fire to another car in the same location.
The fire spread to three other vehicles and the facade of the building before the firefighters arrived. Two other cars were also damaged. According to earlier police reports, the damage is estimated at around 400,000 euros.
The firefighters rescued 27 residents, some via ladder. After the incident, parts of the Schönaich house were no longer habitable. Accommodation was organized for two people.
The suspect was arrested last Thursday, a day after the fire, and was brought before the judge on Friday.
The arrested man was suspected of attempting to burn the same car he had allegedly set fire to in July, using his own car as a tool. On a chilling note, this incident marked the second time he was accused of setting fire to a car in the same location, back in January of the previous year.
