Feuerteufel in Barmen: Suspect arrested after arson!

Feuerteufel in Barmen: Suspect arrested after arson!

A flare-up in crime is causing a stir in Wuppertal-Barmen. On the evening of December 30, 2025, there was a fire in a waste paper container near a residential and commercial building. At around 8 p.m., the police received a tip from an alert witness who not only noticed the fire, but also observed a man handling the container. He was arrested a short time later in the area.

The situation escalated when the 26-year-old suspect lashed out uncontrollably during his arrest and ultimately injured a police officer who tried to pull him away from the burning container. The officer had to be treated on an outpatient basis. Apparently the suspect had had an argument with a supermarket operator on whose canopy the container was standing ^[WDR].

Uncertainties surrounding the motive

The background to the fire is often speculative. The suspect stated that there had been an argument - but what exactly drove him to commit this crime remains unclear. The public prosecutor's office classifies him as part of the "Reichsbürger" scene, which has repeatedly made negative headlines in recent years. This group denies the existence of the Federal Republic of Germany and often operates on the edge of legality, which in this case led to an investigation into attempted aggravated arson because the fire was set on an inhabited house ^[WDR].

According to initial estimates, the material damage amounts to around 500 euros. But that could have far more serious consequences for the perpetrator: Arsons like this are considered crimes that pose a threat to the public and, according to Section 306 of the Criminal Code, can be punished with prison sentences of up to ten years ^[MWV].

A historical parallel case: the Reichstag fire

Current events bring back memories of one of the most famous fire cases in German history - the Reichstag fire of 1933. At that time, the Dutch anarchist Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested as the suspected perpetrator. The fire led to the introduction of the Reichstag Fire Ordinance, which suspended the basic rights of the Weimar Constitution and enabled the NSDAP to persecute political opponents. Historians disagree about van der Lubbe's sole perpetration, and many speculate about possible National Socialist complicity. These events show how arson can not only cause material damage, but also result in political repression ^[Wikipedia].

As the police in Wuppertal show, the majority of arsons remain a mysterious phenomenon, the motives of which are widely discussed. There are many facets between psychological motives and opportunistic actions that make it understandable that arson is a serious issue. It remains to be seen whether the investigation against the 26-year-old will shed new light on his motives.