Munich, September 20 – A series of five arson attacks shook Haar, a municipality near Munich, on Monday, September 14, 2026. The most alarming incident occurred at the Catholic Church of St. Bonifatius on Jagdfeldring, where a Bengal fire was ignited on a carpet during a blessing ceremony for first graders. The criminal police have launched an investigation into the incidents, as reported by the Munich Abendzeitung.
Bengal Fire Ignited During Church Service
The incident at St. Bonifatius Church took place around 5:00 PM on Monday afternoon. During the blessing ceremony, several attendees noticed a burning smell. A quick-thinking individual removed the burning pyrotechnic device from the church, took it outside, and extinguished it in an adjacent lake. The perpetrator or perpetrators fled the scene immediately after the act.
Series of Five Arson Attacks in 45 Minutes
The spree of arson began around 4:30 PM. Within a span of 45 minutes, a total of five Bengal fires were set in various locations: in apartments, on a balcony, in a shop, and finally in the church. In one ground-floor apartment, a 44-year-old resident discovered a burning flare in her entrance area. Her husband managed to extinguish the fire. It remains unclear whether the pyrotechnic device was thrown through an open window or if the perpetrator had gained entry into the apartment.
In another incident, a 23-year-old woman found a burning flare wedged between her balcony and the house wall. She, along with two 17-year-old visitors, extinguished the fire with water. Witnesses at one of the crime scenes reported seeing a young person fleeing on a bicycle. The Munich Criminal Police are currently investigating all five arson attacks.
Police Investigation Underway
The police are actively investigating the incidents, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses. The focus is on identifying the individual or individuals responsible for these dangerous acts. The motive behind the attacks is not yet known, and authorities have not released any information regarding potential suspects beyond the witness account of a fleeing youth on a bicycle.
The quick actions of the church attendees and other residents prevented more significant damage and potential injuries. The community in Haar is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
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