A fire caused by German tourists damaged a family's apartment near Poreč, resulting in approximately 400,000 euros in damages. The owner, Markica Kikić, described the incident as a personal and material catastrophe. He claims that the tourists continued their activities during the blaze, including eating and drinking, while he and his family were trying to extinguish the flames. According to Kikić, one of the guests was repeatedly pointing the middle finger at him, even as police attempted to intervene. He alleges that the authorities prioritized the tourists over his safety and property. The incident occurred around early August, when the tourists stayed in the apartment located in Cancinima, near Poreč. Kikić discovered the damage upon returning from the beach. He stated that the fire started in the kitchen, likely due to heat transfer from the stove to wooden structures, which allowed the flames to spread throughout the apartment. The police have identified a 44-year-old German woman as a suspect, accusing her of endangering life and property through dangerous actions. The case will be reviewed by the appropriate state prosecutor’s office. Kikić expressed dissatisfaction with the police response, claiming there were significant procedural errors. He noted that officers allowed the tourists to fill out documents themselves without verifying their identities, and failed to take statements from them. He argued that such individuals should have been detained under criminal law, given the potential threat to life and property. Kikić emphasized that the situation required stricter enforcement, stating that according to his understanding of the law, the person must be brought before the court. The family’s home has been completely destroyed, with Kikić describing the loss as total. He explained that the kitchen was handcrafted using high-quality materials, and the furnishings were luxurious and expensive. He mentioned that the apartment had recently undergone extensive renovation, with designer elements and signed artwork inside. Now, everything has been reduced to ashes, leaving him financially ruined. He estimates that the recovery process could take several years, possibly two more, and doubts whether the apartment will ever be restored. Kikić also faced challenges with the booking platform Booking.com. Initially, he sought assistance from the company after the incident, hoping for support. However, he received a response that left him disappointed. Within an hour of contacting the platform, he received an email informing him that the tourists had been relocated to another accommodation, even a luxury hotel, while he would be responsible for paying their stay. Kikić criticized this outcome, noting that the platform had blocked the guests from accessing their services until further investigation was completed. In addition to the financial losses, Kikić faces ongoing legal and administrative hurdles. The German couple has already left Poreč, and the local police have taken steps to ensure they are not present during the investigation. Meanwhile, Kikić continues to deal with the aftermath of the fire, working to assess the full extent of the damage and seeking compensation. His experience highlights the complex and often frustrating process of dealing with insurance claims, legal procedures, and third-party platforms following a disaster. As the situation unfolds, the community and authorities will be watching to see how the case progresses and what measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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