Visnjiceva Street Fire: M. J. Arrested Over Dorcol Arson
The Interior Ministry (MUP) says M. J. (27) was arrested on suspicion of dousing a Dorcol hospitality venue with flammable liquid on October 3. He faces up to 48 hours in custody.
Police in Belgrade have arrested M. J. (27), born in 1999, on suspicion of starting a fire on Visnjiceva Street in Dorcol on October 3. The Interior Ministry (MUP) announced the arrest on October 6. He is a suspect, and no guilt has been established.
What is M. J. accused of?
According to the MUP statement, the suspect poured flammable liquid inside a hospitality venue on Visnjiceva Street at around 5:20 a.m., after which a fire broke out. The ministry says the material damage was extensive. According to the statement as relayed by the portal 021.rs, no one was injured.
He is suspected of serious offenses against general safety in connection with the criminal offense of causing general danger. The name of the venue, the motive and the amount of damage have not been released, either in the statement or in the media reports our newsroom has read.
Who made the arrest, and what happens next?
The arrest was carried out by members of the Criminal Police Directorate’s Department for the Investigation of Explosions, Fires and Disasters, together with the Technical Directorate and in cooperation with the First Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade. On the public prosecutor’s order, M. J. was placed in custody for up to 48 hours. After that, he is to be brought before the prosecutor’s office, along with a criminal complaint.
What was known about the October 3 fire?
Informer reported the same day that the police were notified of the fire at around 5:35 a.m. In a second text on the same page it gives a time of around 5:30 and the address as Visnjiceva Street 7. Those are the times the fire was reported, while MUP puts the moment of the arson at around 5:20.
According to that portal, firefighters were battling the blaze until around 10 a.m. Informer writes that the fire spread to a neighboring building, significantly damaging a nearby pizzeria. MUP says nothing about this.
Informer, citing Telegraf.rs, also describes surveillance camera footage: an unidentified hooded person carries a small bucket, smashes the glass on the entrance door, pours liquid inside, sets it alight and flees in an unknown direction. This is a media claim. The ministry does not mention it in its statement, so it remains unknown whether the person in the footage matches the man who was arrested.
As of publication, it has not been announced when the prosecutor’s office will decide on further proceedings against M. J.
