Zagreb [Croatia], November 22: Two 18-year-olds have been arrested on suspicion of setting fire to the Vjesnik building, a landmark skyscraper in Croatia, the Zagreb Police Department said in a statement on Friday.
The two youths were arrested on suspicion of committing "serious criminal offenses against public safety" and "endangering life and property by a generally dangerous act or means," according to the statement.
Police said the suspects arrived at the Vjesnik building at around 21:50 (2050 GMT) on Monday, jumped over the fence, entered the building, and climbed to the 15th floor. There, they allegedly ignited a cardboard box filled with paper in the hallway. The fire spread rapidly, prompting the suspects to flee the scene.
Following the criminal investigation, the two individuals will be handed over to the detention supervisor, and a criminal report will be submitted to the competent state attorney's office. It remains unclear what penalties the juvenile suspects may face.
The fire at the Vjesnik building broke out at around 23:04 (2204 GMT) on Monday and was finally brought under control on Tuesday morning after burning throughout the night. Once one of the tallest buildings in the country, the Vjesnik skyscraper was completely destroyed by the blaze. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
