Latvian citizen sets husband's house on fire in Austria after argument, then calls police himself
A 40-year-old Latvian citizen in Austria is suspected of setting fire to his husband's house following an argument, afterward personally reporting the blaze to police. No one was injured, but the building was completely destroyed.
A house fire that completely destroyed a residential building broke out overnight on August 29 in the Altenmarkt area of Lower Austria. A 40-year-old Latvian citizen is suspected of having started the blaze.
According to Lower Austrian police, the incident occurred at around 3:40 a.m. The man himself called the police emergency line and reported that he had set fire to a house belonging to his husband.
Firefighters arrived to find the roof already ablaze
Following the call, both firefighters and police were dispatched to the scene. By the time they arrived, the roof structure of the house was already fully engulfed in flames. Fortunately, no one was inside the building at the time, so there were no injuries.
Investigation confirms deliberate arson
The case was taken over by the Lower Austrian State Criminal Police Office. After examining the scene, investigators concluded that the fire had been started deliberately rather than by accident.
Police believe the man was likely heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident. He refused to be formally questioned, but during the process indicated that he had used a lighter to ignite flammable objects. He cited an argument with his husband as the reason behind his actions.
The exact extent of the material damage has not yet been determined, but police estimate it could reach a six-figure sum. The incident was reported by an Austrian public broadcaster.
