Alkmaar Shocked as Two Girls, 12 and 14,Suspected in Seven Arsons, Including Major Mall Fire
ALKMAAR, NETHERLANDS – Two young girls, aged 12 and 14, are under suspicion for a string of seven arson incidents in Alkmaar, including a major fire at the De Mare shopping mall that forced the evacuation of dozens of homes. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) confirmed the girls’ involvementon Monday, following their arrest on Friday evening.
The fire at De Mare, located on Europaboulevard in the north of Alkmaar, erupted around 7:15 p.m. on Friday, starting in the KiKstore and quickly spreading to a neighboring building. The blaze caused significant damage and prompted an NL-Alert, a national emergency warning system, due to the heavy smoke. While no injuries were reported, two individuals were treated at the scene for smokeinhalation.
The OM revealed that the girls are suspected of starting their arson spree earlier that day, beginning at 3 p.m. on Gasthuisstraat in the city center. They are also suspected of setting fires at Laat (3:30 p.m.), Koorstraat (5:10p.m.), Pettemerstraat (5:55 p.m.), and Noorderkade (6 p.m.).
Various media outlets reported that the fires targeted a library, a McDonald’s branch, a Decathlon store, a Vue cinema, and the Grote Sint-Laurenskerk,a historic church.
The girls were brought before the examining magistrate on Monday. The 14-year-old was remanded in custody for two more weeks, while the 12-year-old was released pending trial.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, leaving residents reeling from the scaleof the destruction and the young age of the suspects. The police are investigating whether the girls are connected to other small-scale arsons reported in the city on Friday.
It’s incredibly disturbing to think that two young girls could be responsible for such widespread damage, said a local resident, who declined to benamed. It raises questions about what could have led them to commit these acts.
The incident has also sparked debate about the role of youth in crime and the need for early intervention programs.
This case highlights the importance of addressing issues of youth delinquency and providing support to young people who may be at risk, said a spokesperson for the Alkmaar Youth Council. We need to invest in programs that promote positive youth development and prevent them from falling into criminal activity.
The investigation into the arsons is ongoing. The OM has not yet released any information about the potential motives behind the crimes.
This is adeveloping story. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.
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