A homeless man living in a tent near the Černý Most shopping center in Prague has become the victim of an arson attack by two perpetrators who remain at large. All of the evidence so far indicates that the perpetrators poured a flammable liquid onto the man’s tent, made of fabric, at 2 PM Sunday and then struck a match.
The man was enormously lucky, as he was able to put out his own burning clothing in time. News server 5plus2.cz reported on the incident.
After the victim succeeded in fleeing from beneath his burning sheet and in partially putting out the fire, he reported the cold-blooded crime to police officers. The man escaped the tent without suffering any greater physical harm.
"His clothing was just partially burned," said Hana Jeřábková, spokesperson for the Prague Police. The man also said he caught a glimpse of his assailants.
"According to the victim’s description, they were two men aged between 30 and 50 who spoke Czech with no accent," Jeřábková told news server 5plus2.cz. Criminal police detectives and investigators called to the meadow where the attack took place determined that the pair evidently first poured fuel on the tent and then set it ablaze.
"The detectives have performed a thorough search of the crime scene and have found enough clues to send for expert analysis to determine what kind of flammable material was used," Jeřábková explained, adding that police are also asking the public for help with their search for the perpetrators. "They are asking anyone who witnessed this incident or who might be able to contribute to clearing up this case to immediately contact them on emergency line 158 or to come to any police station."
