A carelessly thrown away cigarette butt led to a major fire department operation at Bonner Platz in Schwabing on Tuesday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. Two fire engines were needed to fight the fire caused by the tip in the basement of an apartment building. Two residents of the house suffered smoke inhalation from the resulting smoke; they were taken to hospital by emergency services.
According to the police’s initial findings, one of the injured people caused the fire when he smoked drunk in the basement of the house and then simply flicked the smoldering butt away. This then ignited several cardboard boxes, whereupon the basement compartment burned out completely. In addition, a number of power lines were damaged. The police and fire brigade estimate the damage at around 200,000 euros.
Criminal proceedings for negligent arson were initiated against the alleged causer of the fire. A breath alcohol test on the man showed a level of 0.7 per mille.