Suspicious for the Harpling fire released on foot

The four people, between the ages of 16 and 18, were arrested the same week as the nasty laundry in Harplinge burned down.

They were suspected of arson, but all refused to crime. However, they admitted that they were in the building when the fire started, as witnesses have seen.

- They still deny the crime and have provided various information during the hearings about which of the others who started the fire, says prosecutor Frida Hörlinge to SVT News Halland.

It was primarily for the suspects not to be able to talk and influence evidence that the prosecutor requested earlier this week that the district court extend the time of the four teenagers in custody. But instead, they were released.

They are still, on probable grounds, suspected of arson, according to the district court, but their young age means that the district court does not think they should be detained for longer than the two weeks they have already done.

How does this affect the investigation now?

- It remains to be seen. The risk is that they can influence and remove evidence when they are on the loose, says prosecutor Frida Hörlinge.

Also a fifth person is suspected, but has not been detained because of even younger age.

It was at half past seven on Monday evening, September 30, that rescue services were alerted to the fire in Harplinge. The rescue service let the building, which previously housed a dry cleaning, burn down under controlled conditions.

The building has been empty for several years since the laundry was closed. During the fire, black smoke billowed out of the building and is suspected to have contained toxins.