Many Assen residents have probably already noticed: the city has been struggling with a series of car fires lately. In recent weeks, seven went cars in flames. In addition, there were also suspicious fires in sheds and scooters, among other things. This causes unrest among local residents, who have concerns and questions.
One question is addressed to the police: how do the police actually determine whether a fire was started or is the result of an accident?
“That is quite difficult,” says Renate Winkel, spokesperson for the police in the Northern Netherlands. “The occurrence of a fire really depends on the context. There is no one-size-fits-all answer for determining the cause of a fire.”
In the event of a fire, various authorities can investigate the cause of a fire. Initially this is the fire brigade. If there is doubt about the origin of the fire or there are indications of arson, the police will take over the investigation.
During this investigation, the police mainly pay attention to striking behavior, says Winkel. “In general, there are several ways to recognize arson. Sometimes we see suspicious activity on camera images, such as someone hanging around a location for a long time and running away as soon as flames appear.”
But camera images are not always available. The police then look for traces that can say something about the cause.
“For example, there may be arson with fireworks; sometimes we find remains. Forensic investigators can also determine whether fire accelerants, such as gasoline, have been used.”
Winkel cannot say what clues the police in Assen have. It also remains unclear whether a pyromaniac is actually active. The police do suspect arson.
According to the police, all possible traces are being investigated, from forensic material to camera images, to get the most complete picture possible of what happened. The police are also deploying extra patrols.
In the meantime, the police continue to do their work, Winkel emphasizes. “Every fire is different and sometimes crucial evidence literally goes up in flames. But our advice remains: call 112 if you see something suspicious. That greatly increases the chance of being caught.”