Three recent blazes in Munich's vicinity have left behind a trail of destruction, costing a staggering quarter of a million euros in damages within just a few hours. Authorities are now scrutinizing the situation with a keen eye, as a police spokeswoman revealed on Tuesday.
Initially, an early morning blaze engulfed a cable shaft of a temporary bridge on the Isar, following which the police temporarily closed the structure. Within mere hours, a construction machine caught fire in Forstenrieder Park, causing around 250,000 euros worth of damage without any reported injuries. Shortly after, another machine burst into flames in Perlacher Forst, with the authorities yet to quantify the damages.
The "Raute" investigation team, which has already been involved in an arson attack investigation at the end of October, is now on the case. The recent incidents have stirred concerns regarding an increase in criminal activity in the Upper Bavaria region.
While the origins of these fires remain unclear, such incidents have not been unfamiliar in the region. On January 26, 2025, for instance, 23 police cars were destroyed in a suspected arson attack outside a police station in Munich’s Untermenzing district[1]. Investigations are underway to establish the motives behind this particular incident.
It’s worth noting that arson attacks have also been reported in other contexts, such as the case of a 25-year-old man who was arrested for setting fire to a refugee shelter in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg on February 9, 2025[5]. Rest assured, authorities are working tirelessly to tackle this issue and bring the perpetrators to justice.
In the West, similar occurrences have raised concerns among local communities. In Germany, multiple incidents of suspected arson and extremist activities have been detected, including a car-ramming attack in Munich attributed to an Islamic extremist motive[3][4].
