Because two residents reacted boldly, the damage was limited: the fire in a high-rise building with 77 parties in Mönchengladbach was quickly extinguished. The man who allegedly spilled the petrol has been charged with attempted murder.
Mönchengladbach (dpa / lnw) - Six months after a fire in a high-rise building with 77 parties in Mönchengladbach, the trial against the alleged arsonist begins today (9.15 a.m.) before the regional court. The 57-year-old accused is said to have emptied a can of petrol in front of his ex-partner's apartment on the fifth floor and set the fuel on fire.
According to the indictment, he wanted to kill the woman. She ended the relationship and kicked him out of the apartment. On the evening of the crime, she and her 17-year-old son were able to get to safety on the balcony of the apartment. The accused are charged with attempted murder, attempted arson resulting in death and bodily harm.
After the fire alarm went off, two residents bravely intervened. They extinguished the flames with water from a wall hydrant. Three people were injured by smoke gases, including the woman and the accused. A blood test showed him a blood alcohol level of 1.4 per thousand.
The man had a history of property and violent crimes. If convicted, he faces several years in prison. Four days of negotiations are planned for the process until August 29th.
