Burning man sets off alarm bells
An early morning explosion in an apartment in Piraeus yesterday was the cause of a major police operation – including the anti-terrorism squad – after a man was seen moments later running away from the scene with his clothes on fire. Neighbors reported that further explosions could be heard from inside, while the man jumped over the balcony from his ground-floor apartment. Upon entering, police found two containers full of petrol, 25 gas canisters and four bottles of spirits. The area was immediately blocked off and police launched an extensive search for the suspect. Authorities were alarmed by the situation since the man seemed to have escaped even though his clothes were on fire. The 35-year-old was later found suffering from severe burns and was taken to the hospital. Investigations ended concerns of a possible terrorist link when it was found that the man had been planning, likely under the influence of alcohol, to set fire to the flat in revenge for eviction threats by the owners.
