Forest fires broke out in two different places not far from each other in Epe on Wednesday. The cause: arson using fireworks.
Around 5.30 pm a report was received of a forest fire on the Renderklippenweg in Epe. Because many fire brigade units from the region have already joined the huge fire on the shooting range at ‘t Hardea few kilometers away, had been deployed, corps from Apeldoorn, Klarenbeek, Twello and Ugchelen, among others, had to move out.
Upon arrival it turned out to be a small fire. Several square meters of forest were on fire, but the fire was quickly brought under control.
Fireworks
About half an hour later it happened again. Another forest fire broke out at Hertenlaan, not far from the first location. Here too, the fire was limited to a few square meters thanks to quick intervention by the fire brigade.
Remains of fireworks were found at both locations. This makes arson appear to be the cause of the fires. “At the location on Hertenlaan we found a fireworks pot that had been placed at an angle and secured with a large branch. That does not happen by accident,” reports a firefighter on site.
Police officers and forest rangers have continued to search for possible perpetrators, but as far as we know no one has been arrested.
The police have started an investigation and are calling on witnesses to come forward.
The fire brigade says that they do not understand why someone would do this. “This is unacceptable and life-threatening.”
