Arsonist sets millionaires’ properties on fire

A house in Dortmund that is owned by millionaire Chico burned during the night. Several people were evacuated. An arsonist is said to be behind it.

Dortmund – There is now hardly anyone who doesn’t know him: There has been a lot to read about Chico since he won the lottery in 2022. But like on Friday morning, November 24th, the lottery millionaire certainly didn’t want to be in the headlines. An apartment building in Dortmund (North Rhine-Westphalia), which he had bought with his winnings as an investment, burned down on Friday night. According to the police, an arsonist is believed to be responsible.

Chico houses burn: Arsonist sets millionaires’ properties on fire

Chico’s house is on Schützenstrasse. According to police, there was a fire in the attic. The fire department was alerted around 4:20 a.m. “Due to the size of the fire, additional extinguishing units were immediately requested,” the fire department said in a statement. 23 residents of the house had already fled to safety before the emergency services arrived. Four people were taken to hospital with suspected smoke poisoning.

The fire extinguishing work and other measures taken by the fire brigade lasted around four hours. “I have never seen so many ambulances, so many fire and police officers in my life,” says Kürsat “Chico” Yildirim in a video contribution to the Ruhr news.

The house, which the millionaire had only bought at the beginning of November, was declared uninhabitable after the fire was extinguished. The electricity was completely switched off. The residents should now be accommodated in other accommodation. “I just think it’s sad,” Chico explained Ruhr news. According to the police, arson is suspected. There has been an increase in arson in the northern part of Dortmund for weeks.

“Hopefully he will be caught quickly”: Arsonist sets fire to Chico house

The Bild Chico said he doesn’t think the arson was aimed at him personally. “That must have been the unknown person who started the other fires here. Hopefully he will be caught quickly,” he told the newspaper. So that Chico’s wish can come true quickly, the police are now looking for witnesses. Anyone who observed anything suspicious on the night of Thursday to Friday is asked to contact the police on 0231/132-7441.

The day before, a truck loaded with crates of beer caught fire on the A2 near Dortmund. Both lanes had to be closed on Thursday morning.