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Essen: Homeless man escapes flames - suspect in custody!
A 31-year-old was arrested after he set a fire under a sleeping homeless man in Essen. Investigations are ongoing.
Essen: Homeless man escapes flames - suspect in custody!
In a shocking incident in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, a sleeping homeless man became the target of a vicious attack. According to oz-online.de, a fire broke out under the 61-year-old's bench during the night while he was sleeping peacefully. Garbage burned under his head, which woke him up from the rising heat. Fortunately, he was able to get himself to safety but was uninjured.
The police quickly began an investigation and arrested a 31-year-old man as a suspect. He is said to have set a fire, apparently as revenge for an argument the homeless man had previously had with him. The police tracked down the suspect through threatening messages he left around the crime scene. An attentive witness directly linked this 31-year-old to the writings and the incidents at the bus stop in Burgaltendorf, where the crime took place.
Increased aggression against homeless people
This incident is part of a worrying development: According to nd-aktuell.de, homeless people in this country are experiencing an increasing number of violent acts. In 2022 there were a total of 2,122 crimes - a significant increase compared to 2018 with only 1,560 registered cases. The numbers are alarming and raise questions about better protection for this vulnerable group.
The investigation into the incident in Essen is continuing. The 31-year-old was taken into custody at the request of the public prosecutor and faces serious allegations: attempted murder. On September 23, 2025, he was arrested and several pieces of evidence were seized. Experts are calling for more protective measures to ensure the safety of homeless people as reports of violence against these often helpless people continue to appear in the news.
How such a shocking incident will develop remains to be seen. A repercussion in court is already in sight, and the public will look at the further results of the investigation with concern. It is hoped that with better awareness and protective measures, such tragedies can be avoided in the future.
The case did not become any easier for the investigators, as the evaluation of the evidence secured is still ongoing. Exactly how the crime took place and what motives the attacker had are now being examined in detail.