After the fire in Eberswalde, the prosecutor’s office is currently investigating an unknown person on suspicion of arson-related deaths. The city association is calling for a vigil.
Firefighting operations in Eberswalde on the night of September 15 Photo: dpa
Berlin Taz | Diagonally across from the fire station is the Eberswalde market square. There is a plane tree there. The tree is surrounded by flowers, candles and cute little toys. And every day more and more things are happening.
Almost a week has passed since a fire broke out in a multi-storey residential and commercial building on Friedrich-Ebert-Straße in the old town of Eberswalde. The Frankfurt prosecutor’s office has now launched an investigation into the arson that resulted in the death of an unidentified person.
Two people were killed in the night from Saturday to Sunday, presumably a Turkish woman and her son. The deaths have not been officially confirmed yet, as the number of victims has not yet been confirmed. Six people were injured, some seriously. According to police, the house was home to mostly immigrant people.
Eberswalde is shocked, said Dana Kasch, a boutique owner and member of the Old Town Council. The council, which includes business owners, clubs and individuals, is calling for a moment of silence for the fire victims this Friday. An interdenominational service will be held at the Plane Tree at 5:30 p.m.
Share empathy
It is not about Christianity, Islam, Judaism or any other denomination, the city association says, and has nothing to do with it at all. It is about “all of us coming together”, expressing our common sympathy and opening up avenues for help.
Immediately after the fire, a fundraising campaign was launched for the victims and their families. A silent memorial service for the victims was already held on Monday.
Police and prosecutors initially did not investigate the cause of the fire. A technical fault could not be ruled out. Only on Tuesday afternoon, a spokesperson for the Frankfurt/Oder prosecutor’s office confirmed that an investigation into arson resulting in death had been opened against an unknown person. “It is starting,” the spokesperson said.
Police are also relying on information from the public during their investigation. A video and photo portal has been set up where witnesses can upload images and film footage taken on the night of September 14 and 15, particularly between 10 p.m. and midnight. Police hope this information will provide additional information.
Nobody wants to guess
No one in Eberswalde, responsible or working for the coexistence of the city, wants to speculate about the possible causes of the current crimes. Nothing, they say, is known. Giving room for speculation is the worst thing you can do on the eve of Sunday’s state elections.
The Islamic Community Millî Görüş (IGMG) felt it was necessary to remind police and prosecutors of their duty of care. In the case of victims with an immigrant background, the possibility of a right-wing extremist background is often ruled out too quickly in Germany, because the perpetrators left no evidence of Nazi beliefs at the crime scene.
According to the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Millî Görüş has anti-democratic interests in the country.
