15-year-old admits setting fire in Fürstenfeld

Police have identified a 15-year-old student suspected of deliberately setting a fire in Fürstenfeld on September 2, ORF reported. The teenager confessed during questioning and said boredom was his motive.

Investigators concluded that the fire was likely arson and traced it to the student from the Hartberg-Fürstenfeld district. He also allegedly admitted setting four other fires in August, in forests or near stacks of timber.

At the request of the Graz public prosecutor’s office, the teenager was reported while remaining at liberty. Nobody was injured, but the damage is expected to total several hundred thousand euros.

Two agricultural buildings caught fire in the Übersbach district of Fürstenfeld early on Wednesday afternoon. Firefighters from Übersbach, Fürstenfeld, Söchau, Stein, Altenmarkt, Bierbaum, Großwilfersdorf, Ilz and Fehring responded with around 100 personnel.

Both buildings and several pieces of agricultural equipment were completely destroyed. Firefighters prevented the flames from spreading to a nearby forest and a residential building.