Police Arrest Suspected Arsonist After Fire in Ittigen, Bern Canton

Here's what it's all about

• Following the fatal apartment fire in Ittigen, Bern, police arrested a suspect.
• The 82-year-old victim died in the hospital after being rescued.
• Investigators believe the fire was set intentionally.

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The apartment fire in which a man died on Saturday in Ittigen, Bern, is believed to have been set intentionally. Police arrested the suspected perpetrator that same day. He is currently in pretrial detention.

The fire in the apartment building on Papiermühlestrasse broke out early Saturday morning, as reported by blue News reported on Swiss National Day. Emergency responders found an unconscious man in the stairwell. He later died at the hospital. The other residents were able to escape on their own.

The victim was an 82-year-old Swiss man from the canton of Bern, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Bern Cantonal Police. Three other people were taken to the hospital with suspected smoke inhalation.

The apartment affected by the fire was severely damaged and is no longer habitable. The police investigation is ongoing.