Overview
- According to police, a 45-year-old man brought multiple bottles of lamp oil into Stadtkirche St. Michael and spread and ignited the liquid near the altar and the baptismal font.
- Other people inside the church noticed the flames and used a handheld fire extinguisher to put out the fire, keeping damage to roughly €3,000 and preventing wider harm.
- Officers detained the suspect at the scene after he resisted police measures and suffered a minor injury during the arrest.
- Investigators secured forensic traces at the site and on the man, say he tested positive for cannabis, and note past minor offences often linked to drug use; formal inquiries for attempted arson and resisting law enforcement are ongoing.
- The suspect was not immediately brought before a magistrate and authorities will decide next steps in prosecution as investigators continue to process evidence.