Suspect accused of arson in double fatal fire to remain jailed; Argument over dog
A 65-year-old man from Ridderkerk accused of causing a fatal house fire in Vroomshoop will remain in custody, a judge ruled on Tuesday. The fire, which resulted in the deaths of two people and three dogs, reportedly stems from an ongoing dispute over a rare Bohemian shepherd dog named Bobby.
The suspect allegedly threw a gas cylinder into the house on Meidoornlaan and may have also sprayed gas inside before the fire erupted. The incident took place after the man traveled to Vroomshoop to retrieve Bobby, a 15-month-old dog at the center of the conflict. Investigators suspect the gas cylinders were on the property because the residents used them to heat their home with a gas heater to save on expenses.
The conflict reportedly began when the suspect, a breeder and chairman of a club for Bohemian shepherd enthusiasts, learned that the Vroomshoop resident had listed Bobby for sale on Marktplaats, a Dutch classifieds website. The suspect had previously rehomed the dog under the condition that it not be traded and insisted Bobby be returned after discovering the online listing.
When the suspect arrived in Vroomshoop on Friday, he demanded Bobby back, but his request was denied. According to police, this led to the escalation that ultimately caused the fatal fire.
The suspect’s pretrial detention has been extended by 14 days. At the end of this period, the court will reassess whether his detention should be prolonged further.
In addition to the two human victims, three dogs also perished in the blaze, including Bobby, whose fate had sparked the dispute. The destroyed house remains the focus of an ongoing investigation by police and forensic teams.
The suspect owned several businesses in Ridderkerk, including a wedding car rental service and an electric taxi dispatch center. He and his wife had recently sold their home and were planning to emigrate to the Czech Republic, the origin country of the Bohemian shepherd breed.
