Arson in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Church in flames!

Arson in Garmisch-Partenkirchen: Church in flames!

On July 5, 2025, a fire caused a sensation in the Sankt Martin Church in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. A 28-year-old man was suspected of set fire to several altars. Fortunately, the fire was noticed by an attentive 50-year-old man and his 19-year-old son, who quickly intervened and the flames extinguished before the fire brigade arrived. This resulted in property damage, which the police estimated with a high four-digit euro amount. A burnt altar deck lay on the ground and testifies to the danger that emerged from this incident. The picture reports about the brave first aids.

The fire was reported at the operations center of the Oberbayern South Police Headquarters at 4:13 p.m. The Garmisch-Partenkirchen criminal police station took over the investigation and assumes deliberate action. An investigative judge appointed the Munich II public prosecutor as a responsible partner for the legal steps. This applied for the interim accommodation of the alleged perpetrator in a psychiatric clinic, which was approved by the judge. A corresponding accommodation order was issued for suspected serious arson.

resistance in the arrest

When the suspect was arrested, this resistant resisted and injured two police officers and the son of the first aid. These injuries meant that the two police officers were no longer employed after the incident. The incident highlights the current problems with arsons that have increased across Germany in recent years. According to statistics from the Federal Criminal Police Office, several thousand cases were recorded in the period from 2014 to 2024, whereby arson is repeatedly a serious problem. The data can be viewed on Statista.

The criminal police have now secured extensive traces at the scene to clarify whether fire accelerators may have been used. The alleged perpetrator was already brought before the investigative judge of the Munich District Court on July 6, 2025. The allegations weigh heavily and show that a quick action by the emergency services and courageous citizens were crucial to prevent a larger disaster.

The Sankt Martin Church itself, an impressive building, was built between 1730 and 1734 and is known for its artistic ceiling frescoes and ceiling paintings. This incident not only affected the community, but also represent a sign of the need for security precautions in spiritual rooms. The subsequent investigations will show how the protection of such valuable and culturally significant places continues.