Series of fires in Wilhelmshaven: 25-year-old arrested – who are the masterminds?

Series of fires in Wilhelmshaven: 25-year-old arrested – who are the masterminds?

In the maritime city of Wilhelmshaven, a series of fires has overshadowed the lives of residents over the past few months. Last weekend, a 25-year-old woman was arrested after she had been spotted several times near previous fires. This arrest, which took place on the night of Friday to Saturday, came after a brief escape. The police are now investigating whether they are responsible for one or more of the many fires. But while the investigation is ongoing, there is little evidence that it is connected to the particularly tragic fire at the end of June in which a four-year-old boy lost his life, NDR reports.

Since May 2025, 70 fires have already been registered in Wilhelmshaven. During this time, the police opened 63 arson investigations and set up a special investigation group called “Lux”. This group is supposed to analyze the fires meticulously and investigate possible connections between different perpetrators. The investigators were also used as undercover investigators to uncover the identity of the arsonists. While there have been several fires per week recently, last weekend there were even five fires in quick succession, like this daily news reported.

A worrying phenomenon

The attacks mainly target garbage containers, bulky waste, cars and even houses, with most incidents recorded at dusk and during the night. Residents are increasingly expressing concern about the series of fires and the potential damage to their property. Police recommend storing flammable materials safely and parking cars in well-lit areas if possible. In addition, surveillance cameras should be installed and suspicious people should be reported to the police.

An inviting feeling of security looks different. The investigators seem to assume that several perpetrators are involved in the series of fires. Signs of this are the different locations and times of the fires, which suggest that there is a coordinated approach. It remains unclear who started the dangerous fire game, but police have increased their presence in the city to stop potential perpetrators.

Psychiatric evaluations and legal challenges

The 25-year-old, who has now been admitted to a closed psychiatric hospital, is being taken seriously in the investigation due to her previous history and the suspicion that mental illness may have an influence. However, according to the current legal framework, it is difficult to send them to prison because of the container fires, as they are considered damage to property. The public prosecutor therefore sees no grounds for arrest, as the hurdles for an arrest warrant are high.

Adding to the complexity of the case is the possibility of mental illness that may be related to arson. Other cases show that placement in psychiatric facilities can be a possible scenario when significant criminal offenses are involved. However, experts also warn against keeping danger forecast in perspective as it is often challenging, as described in a comprehensive report on relevant court decisions ( Lexicons ).

The uncertainty regarding the actual perpetrator or perpetrators remains, but the citizens of Wilhelmshaven have great hope that this series of fires can soon be solved. Every look into the night attracts attention: who might be squinting around the corners, just waiting to cause more mischief?