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Fire in Roermond (Picture: Twitter/@_Kangaroofie)
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Fire in Roermond (Picture: Twitter/@_Kangaroofie)
Tuesday, 16 June 2015 - 16:43
Arrest made in suspicious Limburg harbour fires
Officers in Limburg arrested a suspect overnight in connection with arson incidents at a shipyard, a houseboat, a harbour and a marina, police said on Tuesday. The 32-year-old man was picked up at his home in Maastricht during the early morning hours on Tuesday.
Police said at the moment he is only a suspect in one of the marina fires. His home was searched as part of the investigation.
The first fire raged in a shipyard Herten, and destroyed four different pleasure boats on December 6. Four days later, a houseboat and two other boats were damaged by fire in Ohé en Laak.
The severity of the situation escalated on December 16, when fire swept through two different boat hangars at the Steelhaven in Roermond. Millions of euros in damage was estimated, with many boats stored for the winter completely decimated.
Arson is suspected, but not confirmed, in the Steelhaven fire. Not enough evidence remained for a final determination. Asbestos was also released into the air after that fire, disrupting life in many neighborhoods and closing part of Roermond city center.
The fourth fire, also an arson, took place on January 15 in Wessem as flames ripped through 14 houseboats.
More arrests in the case, and more criminal charges are possible, the police said.