Volunteer Firefighter Admits to Setting Multiple Fires in German Border Region

The 47-year-old confessed to several arson incidents as his trial begins, though he denies responsibility for all 25 alleged cases.

The defendant, a volunteer firefighter, is accused of setting over 20 fires in the Bavarian-Hessian border region between 2018 and 2024.
During the trial's opening at the Landgericht Aschaffenburg, the accused admitted to many of the charges but denied involvement in all 25 alleged incidents.
Prosecutors detailed his use of sophisticated self-igniting devices designed to delay fires and destroy evidence, including fingerprints and DNA.
The suspect reportedly sought a psychological sense of superiority and enjoyed the confusion caused among investigators and the public.
No injuries were reported in the fires, which escalated over time from woodpiles and forests to higher-value targets like a family’s weekend house.