36 vans in flames in Berlin – police investigate arson attack!

36 vans in flames in Berlin – police investigate arson attack!

On the night of June 17, 2025, a suspected arson attack caused a stir in Berlin. Several dozen vehicles were on fire in the Britz and Lichtenberg districts. A total of 36 vans were affected when the first emergency call was received shortly before three o'clock. As the Berlin police, who are now conducting the investigation, report, it is still unclear whether the fires are related and what the background is behind these incidents.

In Lichtenberg, around 17 vans from a telecommunications company were affected, while in Britz around 19 vehicles from a parcel delivery company burned. The fire department was on site with a large contingent of around 100 firefighters and was able to quickly bring the flames under control. Luckily no one was injured, but the incident left concerned citizens and many questions.

Recently, on January 25, 2023, there was a similar incident when a fire broke out in a refugee accommodation in Pankow, which tragically led to the death of a 43-year-old Syrian woman. According to police, this woman, who leaves behind six children, died eight days later as a result of the fire. The State Criminal Police Office is currently investigating arson resulting in death, although there is currently no evidence of political motivation. Nevertheless, left-wing groups suspect that there is a right-wing extremist background to this incident, which will be honored with a memorial event on Monday.

Arson in Berlin: A less positive outcome

The repeated arson attacks are anything but isolated cases. The number of car arson investigations in Berlin has reportedly reached a peak in 2024. By mid-December, 422 procedures had been registered, a worrying increase compared to previous years. Many of these acts appear to have been carried out without political motives, but in 22 cases left-wing extremists were identified as possible perpetrators. Three out of four investigations concern other motives such as vandalism or insurance fraud.

The accumulation of cases makes it clear that there is a serious problem with arson in Berlin. In 2022, around 570 vehicles burned, while in 2021 more than 700 cars burned down. These alarming figures indicate that perpetrators often set fire to multiple vehicles at the same time, making the situation even more complicated.

The police are in a constant battle against the flames and the causes that always need to be fueled. It remains to be seen whether there is a connection between the current incidents and the previous arson attacks. It seems as if the investigations in Berlin will have to be continued intensively in the next few days and weeks in order to shed light on these extremely dangerous matters.

The citizens of Berlin are worried. Every new arson attack raises questions and leaves a feeling of uncertainty. And so it remains to be seen how the situation will develop and whether the police will be able to hold the perpetrators accountable. The hope for safe coexistence is increasingly being put to the test by these incidents.