A 42-year-old resident of Burgas was detained just hours after two overnight arson attacks destroyed and damaged a total of nine vehicles across the city. The incidents, which occurred in the Slaveykov and Izgrev residential complexes, have sparked concern among residents and prompted swift police intervention.
According to the Ministry of Interior, the first alarm was raised shortly after 01:20 a.m. on Sunday, when flames engulfed a Mercedes C 220 parked in front of entrance 5 of block 56 in the Slaveykov district.
A nearby Peugeot 308 was also damaged by the blaze. Two fire engines and a team of four firefighters were dispatched to the scene, successfully extinguishing the fire before it spread further.
Barely an hour later, at around 02:41 a.m., another report was received by the Fifth Regional Department – Burgas, this time from the Izgrev residential area.
Residents reported burning cars in front of entrance 6 of block 55. Firefighters discovered that a Mercedes CLS 260 had been set ablaze, with flames quickly spreading to adjacent vehicles.
A Volkswagen Passat and a Peugeot 407 were destroyed in the fire, while four additional cars suffered partial damage, particularly to bumpers and headlights. Once again, two fire engines and four firefighters worked to contain the inferno.
In total, four vehicles were completely destroyed and five sustained varying degrees of damage across the two incidents. Authorities noted that the attacks took place within just over an hour of each other, leading investigators to suspect they were deliberately coordinated.
Rapid operational and search measures led to the swift detention of a 42-year-old Burgas man believed to be connected to the crimes. Police confirmed his arrest and stated that procedural and investigative actions were ongoing to determine the exact circumstances, motives, and potential accomplices.
“The prompt reaction of our regional units ensured that the suspect was identified and detained within hours,” a police spokesperson said, while stressing that the investigation remains active.
Residents of both complexes expressed alarm at the late-night fires, with many saying they were woken by explosions and smoke. Some voiced concerns about vehicle safety in residential parking areas, calling for better surveillance and preventive measures.
Fire officials confirmed that no injuries were reported in either of the incidents, though the material losses are significant. Investigators are now working to establish whether accelerants were used and if the same individual carried out both arson attacks.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Burgas, with the community awaiting further updates as police and forensic teams continue their work. For now, the swift detention offers reassurance that authorities are treating the incidents with urgency, but questions remain over the suspect’s motives and the potential risks of future attacks.