Man killed in Breda fire; arson suspected

A 49-year-old man was seriously injured in a fire in a garage on Sparrenweg in Breda on Monday evening. He succumbed to his injuries during the night, the Breda police said on Twitter on Tuesday morning. The police believe that the fire was a targeted attack against the man, NOS reports.

The fire was reported to emergency services at around 9:30 p.m. The police immediately assumed that arson was involved. What led to this assumption, is not clear.

When emergency services arrived at the scene, neighbors had already put the burned man under a shower. Police officers were able to talk to him before he was taken to hospital. His statement confirmed the police's suspicions that this was a targeted attack, police spokesperson Willem-Jan Uytdehaage said to NOS.

The police believe that multiple perpetrators are involved. A forensic investigation was done at the garage. 20 police officers are working on this case. The motive for the attack is not clear.