Teenager in Smiltene Municipality Sets Neighbours' Sheds on Fire, Killing Rabbits

A 16-year-old in Smiltene Municipality, in the Vidzeme region of Latvia, set fire to a neighbour's shed last Saturday evening. The building held firewood stored for the winter and a number of rabbits, which burned to death. The case was reported by the television programme "Degpunktā".

What is known about the incident

According to the programme, the offence was committed while the teenager had a blood alcohol level of 2.12 per mille. The neighbour who owned the shed is deeply distressed: the rabbits died and his winter firewood was lost. He says that without heating it is no longer possible to stay in the house normally at night.

This was not the only fire that night. About an hour later, the teenager reportedly set fire to another shed, which also contained firewood meant for winter. The owner of that shed told the programme that her husband's "whole life burned down there".

What locals say about the teenager

Residents say the youth has a "bad reputation" and are reluctant to talk about him. He has previously come to the attention of police, and several locals admitted they are afraid of him. According to them, he lives with his mother, while his father lives in the same village. Residents also told the programme they had heard he has mental health problems.

The source does not say whether criminal proceedings have been opened against the teenager or what police plan to do next.