Pyromaniac destroys apartment in Ottakring: residents in panic!

Pyromaniac destroys apartment in Ottakring: residents in panic!

A fire that broke out on June 14th in Vienna-Ottakring caused a stir. The 46-year-old tenant of the affected house said he acted out of an “inner urge to set things on fire.” Fortunately, there were no injuries, but the property damage was significant. The fire department had to wake up residents who fled the building in panic when they noticed the smoke. The man, who had a blood alcohol level of around 1.5 per mille, was arrested after the operation and the question arises as to whether he will be considered for further admission to an institution since he has already been convicted of arson three times. Neighbors described him as quiet, but he apparently has a criminal past. Financial damage is estimated at several tens of thousands of euros, and the public prosecutor's office has now transferred the perpetrator to a prison Today reported. The fire damage is enormous: the living room of the fire apartment was badly damaged, the ceiling in the anteroom is charred, and the staircase also shows significant damage. The walls are covered in soot and an acrid smell permeates the hallways.

But that wasn't the only fire-threatening incident in the area. An arson attack on a blue construction site toilet, which is located at the entrance to the Church of the Name of Mary, also agitated the minds of local residents. Pastor Jesus David Jaen Villalobos suspects that it was a deliberate arson, as the construction site is currently being renovated. The toilet has almost completely melted and apparently accelerant was used. Here too, the damage is significant: the entrance door, the wooden intermediate roof, the staircase and glass elements in the facade are affected. Villalobos estimates the total damage at several thousand euros. Residents noticed the smoke and alerted the emergency services; the police are now investigating unknown perpetrators on suspicion of property damage caused by fire. A connection with the current threat situation has been ruled out, which provides some calm in the neighborhood. The Kronen Zeitung also informs that the fire team of the Vienna State Criminal Police Office has already been called in to advance the investigation.

High arson rates in Vienna

As statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office show, arson has been an increasing problem in recent years. In Germany, an increase in cases recorded by the police was documented between 2014 and 2024, which sheds further light on the dangerous situation. In Austria too, the numbers are almost alarming, and ultimately there could be a connection with the large number of fire cases that have been registered in Vienna in recent years. Statista offers a comprehensive overview of these frightening figures and gives an idea of ​​how important it is to decisively combat arson.

These incidents not only raise questions about safety in our city, but also highlight the need to take further preventive measures. Especially in a district like Ottakring, which has been in the headlines for numerous worrying incidents in the past, it is crucial that the public prosecutor's office and the police act decisively to ensure peaceful coexistence.