After the major fire in a historic house in the center of Augsburg, the police are investigating evidence that the battery of an e-scooter could have caused the fire. “These assumptions have existed since the first day of the fire,” said a police spokesman on Wednesday.
The reason for this are statements from witnesses, others are currently being heard. “We don’t have the material in our own hands,” emphasized the spokesman. The building, which is in danger of collapsing, is still not allowed to enter. First the “Augsburger Allgemeine” reported.
At the weekend, the listed building in a side street of Augsburg’s town hall square burned down, causing millions in damage. The house was originally from the 16th century and was later remodeled.
According to the city, the core of the house dates back to the 16th century. A valuable Madonna figure from the mid-18th century, which was attached to the outside of the gable, could therefore be saved from the fire. Three people were slightly injured in the fire.
In the night of Tuesday, the gable of the building was brought down in a controlled manner, after which further embers were discovered. The fire brigade checked on site until Wednesday that the fire did not break out again.
© SZ / dpa / mmo