A fire broke out at a hostel in Lublin, Poland after a guest allegedly set fire to dryers, leaving the owner shocked when he viewed surveillance footage.
Hostel Fire in Lublin: Owner Published Surveillance Footage
On Saturday, January 10, a fire broke out at a hostel on Przesmyk Street in Lublin. The owner of the facility, Lublin entrepreneur Michał Sidor, published footage recorded by surveillance cameras. It shows a guest walking down the corridor and attempting to set fire to drying clothes. Shortly after, flames and smoke appeared.
“Many people are asking me who and why set fire to the hostel. The answer is: ‘I have no idea.’ The guest had been staying at the hostel for nearly three weeks, two days before the arson, he extended his stay until January 20. We had no problems with him, nor were there any conflicts between him and other residents. Below is the surveillance footage. First he tries to set fire to one dryer, but it doesn’t work for him. Then he goes around the corner and sets fire to two more dryers, and finally sets fire to a dryer right under the camera and leaves the hostel. He left all his belongings in the room, including documents, which the police secured” – Michał Sidor wrote on Facebook.
Businessman Was Shocked When He Viewed the Recording
Wirtualna Polska spoke with the entrepreneur. The portal reported that “when the hostel owner viewed the surveillance footage, he was in shock.” Michał Sidor was surprised that it was this particular guest who was captured by the surveillance cameras. – The man was cultured, he answered ‘good day.’ When he listened to music, he asked if it wasn’t too loud – said the businessman.
Police Detained Man Suspected of Arson
The police have already identified the man suspected of arson and detained him. The 42-year-old Pole has not yet been charged because contact with him was difficult. – Police officers conducted a medical consultation, after which the doctor decided that for now he should be placed in a closed psychiatric facility – informed WP Kamil Gołębiowski from the Municipal Police Headquarters in Lublin. When the detainee’s condition improves, the man will likely be charged.
Man Had Turned on Gas Taps
At the time of the fire, there were 22 people in the hostel, who were evacuated. No one was injured. However, the hostel owner conveyed that a tragedy could have occurred because after setting fire to the dryers, the man went to the kitchen and turned on the gas taps. – Fortunately, the stoves have safety features and turn off, so there was no explosion. If ignition had occurred, it would have burned down the entire floor. There is also a residential building a few meters away. There was really a lot of luck in this misfortune that a really serious tragedy did not occur – said Michał Sidor in an interview with WP.
