Man (55) asks acquittal for intentional arson where he himself sustained heavy burns: « I was stumbled with a cigarette » (Geraardsbergen)
The emergency services had to pull out on November 21, 2021 for a fire in a terraced house in the Wijngaardstraat. – © BSB
A fifties appeared before the criminal court in Oudenaarde for intentional arson in his terraced house in the Wijngaardstraat in Geraardsbergen. The public prosecutor is progressing a 18 -month prison sentence. The defendant, who then contracted heavy burns and for those who were still starting an aid campaign, asks the acquittal. « I was stumbled with a cigarette, » it sounds.
The emergency services had to turn out on Sunday, November 21, 2021 around 7.30 pm for a fire in a terraced house in the Wijngaardstraat in Geraardsbergen. When the fire brigade arrived, the flames hit the windows of the house. The house was completely destroyed, but the fire brigade could prevent the fire from spreading to the adjacent houses.
The resident, the 55-year-old HD, was transferred to the Land Wondencentrum Neder-Over-Heembeek with heavy burns to the hands, arms and face. Long rehabilitation awaited there.
« If my client had the intention to start a fire, it is very strange that he was still present in the home »
Christophe Saveyn
HD lawyer
A few months after the devastating fire, a support action was set up for him. But according to the public prosecutor, he would have set his terraced house on fire.
The man had to answer for the correctional court in Oudenaarde on Thursday morning due to intentional arson at night, which is an aggravating circumstance.
Read too. Wounded at blazing fire, street closed by the risk of explosion
« The fire expert’s investigation shows that there may have been five hot spots in the house, » emphasized parquet magistrate Pieter Pappens. « In addition, White Spirit samples were found. If you set fire to a terraced house in the middle of the city, you need to know that this can have very heavy consequences. »
The public prosecutor is claiming a prison sentence of 18 months and a fine of 1,600 euros. The defense denies the arson and asks for the acquittal. « If my client had the intention to start a fire, it is very strange that he was still present in the house, » lawyer Christophe Saveyn argued.
« Two so -called hot spots were in the kitchen and at the barbecue, where flammable products can be present anyway. »
“Dumbled”
“My client said from the outset that he had been stumbled with a burning cigarette. He woke up by a smoke scent, saw high flames and his t-shirt was on fire. He walked to the door. But he was final, which was not in line with deliberate arson. In the end he could not have the neighbors. A carelessness, « concluded Christophe Saveyn.
The court is considering the case. (PDV)
