Revealing data from the Fire Department shows that the overwhelming majority of fires that have broken out since the beginning of 2026 are caused by human negligence.
Fire Department: Nearly 90% of fires leading to arrests were caused by carelessness
According to official data, from January 1 to May 26, a total of 57 arrests have been made for arson under immediate prosecution procedures.
Of these:
- 51 arrests concern arson due to negligence,
- while only 6 cases relate to intentional arson.
In simple terms, nearly 90% of fires that led to arrests were caused by carelessness, such as cigarette disposal, tool work, or poor management of flammable materials.
345 administrative fines in less than 5 months
Meanwhile, the Fire Department has imposed 345 administrative fines totaling €282,362 in less than five months.
Officials from the Arson Crime Response Directorate emphasize that the major challenge is prevention in citizens’ daily lives, as a cigarette or careless work can turn into a catastrophic fire within minutes. At the same time, the message from the Fire Department is clear: no negligence goes unnoticed, and inspections will continue throughout the country during the entire fire prevention period.
