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German firefighters ‘set fires to look like heroes’

Four firemen have been convicted of arson in northern Germany after it emerged that they were regularly setting fires so they could heroically extinguish them.

Published: 22 December 2015 16:33 CET
German firefighters 'set fires to look like heroes'
File photo: DPA

The four volunteers repeatedly set fire to hay bales or stores – or were aware of plans to do so.

In her ruling, the judge at the youth court in Ahrensburg, Schleswig-Holstein explained that without the leadership of one of the men, the crimes would never have come to fruition.

SEE ALSO: French firefighters: why are they so smoking hot?

This ringleader was handed an 18-month suspended sentence for arson in a group and incitement to cause property damage, as well as 100 hours of community service.

His three fellow accused who confessed to abetting arson and property damage received fines of between €300 and €1,000.

All four of the former firefighters, aged 20 to 22, will now face compulsory psychological interviews.

 

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FIRE

Situation ‘unstable’ at Copenhagen’s old stock exchange after fire

Three days after a fire which ravaged Copenhagen's historic former stock exchange broke out, emergency services said Friday that the situation was "unstable" due to equipment issues and a strong breeze.

Published: 19 April 2024 17:44 CEST
Situation 'unstable' at Copenhagen's old stock exchange after fire

In the morning, during work to dismantle the scaffolding surrounding the building, a crane’s cutters came loose for as of yet unknown reasons.

It is currently wedged between the scaffolding — put up for the renovation of the historic building that was ongoing — and what remains of the walls.

“It is affecting our efforts”, Tim Ole Simonsen, leader of the operation at the rescue services, told a press conference.

Coupled with the wind picking up, the incident, which has temporarily halted work on dismantling the scaffolding, has made the situation “unstable”.

“The wind is blowing harder and harder, and there are tarps over the scaffolding that can catch the wind,” Simonsen said.

He added that this increases the risks, in particular of further collapse of the burnt-out facade which started collapsing late Thursday afternoon.

Located close to the Christiansborg parliament and seat of government, the Borsen building was commissioned by King Christian IV and built between 1619 and 1640. It was the stock exchange until the 1970s.

The fire began Tuesday morning under the copper roof of the building, which was undergoing renovations ahead of its 400th anniversary.

The cause of the blaze was unknown and Copenhagen police said Wednesday that a major investigation had been launched.

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