Suspects accused of setting Arnhem city center fire were not targeting shop, police say

The three men arrested in connection with the major fire that broke out in the historic city center of Arnhem last week are suspected of arson, police and prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday. However, investigators have not yet turned up any evidence to indicate that the shop where the fire broke out was targeted by the suspects, the authorities stated.

The three suspects were identified as a 57-year-old and a 30-year-old from Arnhem, and a third man with no fixed place of residence who is 41 years of age. They will be brought before an examining magistrate on Wednesday, who can then remand the suspects to jail for up to 14 days.

The fire began at around 4 a.m on Thursday. It took 23 hours for it to be put out. One of the buildings that was destroyed as a result of the fire was from the 15th century, according to Omroep Gelderland.

“No further information can be provided about the motive and the way in which the fire was started,” the police stated. “This could harm the investigation, which is still ongoing.”

Five buildings owned by residents and one building owned by an entrepreneur were completely destroyed in the fire. These residents and business owners will certainly not be able to return to these buildings. SoLow, a party item store, owned the building that was completely burned down. As of yesterday, 45 people were still unable to return to their homes.

The prospect of the fire being intentionally set weighed heavily on Arnhem Mayor Ahmed Marcouch, who called it a “heartbreaking thought.” He said on social media, “Many Arnhem residents lost their homes and possessions, and our city center will forever bear a scar.”

“The fire in the city centre of Arnhem has had an enormous impact on the residents who had to leave their homes in a hurry, other residents, entrepreneurs and the rest of the city,” police said on Tuesday. “The past few days have made it clear how involved residents have been and still are.