Man faces decade in prison for downtown Arnhem fire that destroyed 10 historic buildings

The Public Prosecution Service has recommended a 10-year sentence against Koert H., a 58-year-old from Arnhem, for setting a fire in the city’s downtown area. The blaze, which broke out overnight between March 5 and 6 last year, led to the destruction of 10 historic properties. Meanwhile, the prosecution has requested that the two other suspects, Ricky N. and Mark V., be cleared of all charges.

Prosecutors believe H. ignited a cardboard-filled container located behind a store on Varkensstraat. Although N. and V. were there at the time, the prosecution does not regard them as accomplices, citing a lack of evidence that they took any direct action. H., however, denies being responsible for the fire.

Around 2:55 a.m., the three men were heading down Varkensstraat toward a late-night shop to purchase cigarettes. Surveillance footage presented in court shows H. suggesting to the others, “Hey, let’s light that thing on fire, I’d enjoy that.” Ricky N. reportedly replied, “Yeah, we could do that.” Mark V., visible in the footage smoking, later told police he witnessed H. igniting the trash.

Prosecutors say the suspects lingered near the container for almost 40 seconds, outside the camera’s view. About 10 minutes after they left, a large fire erupted and quickly escalated, spreading at high speed. Dozens of nearby homes had to be evacuated at the last moment. “It’s remarkable that there were no fatalities or serious injuries,” the prosecutor noted, calling it nothing short of a miracle.

N. and V. were released from pre-trial custody in October. N., who has since moved to Drenthe, has failed to appear at his own trial in Arnhem, to the clear irritation of prosecutors.

The prosecution contends that H. ought to have anticipated the catastrophic results of his plan to ignite the container. “He might not have foreseen the full extent of the blaze, but he should have been aware of the risks. People were asleep in their homes, and H. could have realized this,” the prosecutor stated.

The prosecutor described the co-suspects’ failure to intervene as morally unacceptable. She acknowledged, however, that a verdict of acquittal might clash with the victims’ sense of justice, given that they lost their homes and belongings.

The ruling in the case is scheduled for April 24.