Chalet destroyed in sixth fire in Gelderland town; arson suspected

During the early hours of Thursday morning the Gelderland town of Epe dealt with its fourth overnight fire in a row, and the sixth fire in a short time. Around 3:45 a.m., the fire department responded to a fire in a detached wooden chalet at De Koekamp campground, Omroep Gelderland reports.

The chalet was completely engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. The fire was under control by 4:30 a.m., but the chalet can be considered lost, according to the fire department. The police believe it was arson.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the fire on Thursday morning. The suspects are two men, aged 18 and 34 years, according to RTL Nieuws. The police could not say whether they are also suspected of being involved in the other fires in Epe over the past days.

Before this fire, three barns, a block of houses and a log cage went up in flames - all in the same area of Epe, according to the broadcaster. On Tuesday the police reported that it was too early to say that the fires are connected, though investigators are taking into account that they all involved arson. On Wednesday the mayor of Epe announced a number of extra security measures, including increased police surveillance.

According to the broadcaster, the police took the details of a number of people who came to watch Thursday morning's fire.

Chalet uitgebrand op park De Koekamp in Epe EPE In de nacht van woensdag op donderdag is voor de vierde nacht ac... https://t.co/LTbuvxO8Pm pic.twitter.com/wKrk6whtEb

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