A 59-year-old man in Thessaloniki has been charged with repeated intentional arson after admitting that he started six fires in Sindos, a western suburb of the city.
The man, who was given a deadline to prepare his defense and is due to appear before authorities on Friday, Aug. 14, said he regretted his actions and apologized. He attributed the fires to being overwhelmed by his work.
The suspect’s actions were captured by a security camera. The footage shows his blue car traveling along Pontou Street before stopping at the side of the road. He is then seen getting out, walking toward dry vegetation, bending down and setting fire to dry grass. He subsequently walks away, and the first smoke can be seen rising as he gets back into his vehicle.
What the suspect told the prosecutor
According to Greek broadcaster Mega, the 59-year-old told the prosecutor that he had wanted to “let off steam” from work.
“I wanted to let off steam from work. Yesterday I took time off work and left early. When I woke up in the afternoon, I had two glasses of retsina. When I finished drinking, I took my car to go for a drive,” he said.
He added that he had taken several paper napkins with him to use to start fires.
“I was setting the fires out of stupidity. I was releasing the fatigue I had from my work. I had no particular reason for starting them, nor did I want to take revenge on anyone,” he said.
The man reportedly confessed after specialized Fire Service investigators arrested and questioned him.
Investigators examine possible links to other fires
Investigators from the local branch of the Fire Service’s Arson Crimes Directorate are examining whether the 59-year-old could also be connected to other fires that have broken out in the wider area since May.
Kostas Tsigas, president of the Fire Service Officers’ Association, said investigators and investigative teams were continuing to use operational investigative methods, supported by scientific tools and criteria, to establish the causes of fires and quickly determine responsibility, bringing those responsible before justice.
