Usedom (dpa/mv) - In the south of the island of Usedom, unknown persons set several fires again on Wednesday afternoon despite the high risk of fire due to the summer heat. As a police spokesman said on Thursday, a tree and three areas of grass and bushes in the extensive urban area of Usedom burned within a short time. At the time, temperatures were around 37 degrees on the island. Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames before they spread to buildings or other areas. The extent of the damage was initially unclear.
In July there were already several arson attacks in the region around the city of Usedom, so the police suspect a connection. Between July 13 and 16, the fire brigade had to extinguish three trees that had been set on fire and an area of broken wood near a waterworks. A fire was also reported in a wooded area north of the city. The fire was noticed by a pilot who happened to fly over the area in his plane. There had been fires in two places; nobody got hurt.
The police are investigating in all cases on suspicion of intentional arson.
