Suspected arson at Kaunas apartment prompts evacuation

Apartment doors were allegedly set on fire in Kaunas on Wednesday night, forcing the evacuation of some residents, LRT reported.

Police said the incident took place at about 11.20 p.m. on Partizanų Street. The apartment door was burned, while the walls and ceiling of the stairwell were covered in soot.

According to the Kaunas Fire Rescue Board, firefighters found the apartment door burning on the third floor. A woman who reported the fire and her daughter were unable to leave the apartment.

Firefighters extinguished the flames with an extinguisher and entered the apartment. Two residents were taken outside, while 15 people were evacuated from the third, fourth and fifth floors.

Firefighters reported smelling petrol in the stairwell. The apartment and stairwell were ventilated.

The door frame and door were burned, and part of the stairwell wall was covered in soot. Arson is suspected, and the damage is being assessed. A pretrial investigation has been opened on suspicion of destroying or damaging property.