A 40‑year‑old repeat arsonist was arrested Monday morning after a fire in the unoccupied loft of a historic residential building on Tarchomińska Street in Warsaw’s Praga‑Północ district.
Incident
On Monday morning a fire gutted the empty loft of a historic residential building on Tarchomińska Street in Warsaw’s Praga‑Północ district. The blaze damaged roof elements and the building’s covering, but no one was injured.
Firefighting Response
Eight teams of firefighters worked the scene, evacuating 20 residents from 12 apartments and clearing the damaged loft. A smoke detector alarm from a tenant alerted the authorities, enabling quick action.
Investigation and Arrest
Police from the North‑Praga Intelligence and Patrol Department identified and detained a 40‑year‑old suspect, a known local arson‑recidivist. Witness statements and forensic video linked him to the fire and to threats against occupants of another apartment complex.
Charges and Proceedings
The suspect was interrogated at Warsaw‑Praga‑Północ District Prosecutor’s Office and charged with destroying a historic building and making criminal threats against residents of a neighbouring building on Zaokopowa Street. The court imposed a three‑month provisional arrest, acknowledging his prior arson convictions; he faces up to twelve years in prison.
Background
The 40‑year‑old had previously been arrested for arson, cementing his status as a repeat offender. Evidence gathered by investigators confirms he was intoxicated and had issued threats to another apartment’s residents before the Tarchomińska fire.
