A 38-year-old construction technician from Split was sentenced to investigative detention after accidentally igniting a large fire in Dubrovnik using fireworks to celebrate his boss’s return from hospital, according to local media reports. The incident occurred on August 11, 2026, near the village of Gorica sv. Vlaha, where the man fired two fireworks, triggering flames that spread rapidly due to strong winds and consumed approximately 6,000 square meters of dense forest and low vegetation. Firefighters from the public fire department in Dubrovnik and four members of the DVD Zaton unit managed to contain the blaze around 2:30 am on August 12. The man, identified as A. B., admitted during police investigation that he had fired the fireworks intending to mark his boss’s return from the hospital. He expressed regret over the incident and stated that such actions would not occur again. His lawyer argued that there was no risk of him repeating the offense if released. However, the court ruled that the man's behavior demonstrated a lack of care and a high level of criminal intent, posing a danger of recurrence if he were not detained. The decision was made by Judge Pero Miloglav of the District Court in Dubrovnik, who emphasized the seriousness of the act. According to footage from surveillance cameras, the man arrived at the location in a car from a nearby restaurant, set up a box of fireworks, and fired them shortly before midnight. The first firework lasted only a few minutes, prompting some guests from the establishment to watch. However, the man returned to the site and activated a second firework, which led to the rapid spread of the fire. The flames, fueled by strong winds, threatened nearby residential buildings before being controlled by firefighters. The fire, which burned through approximately six thousand square meters of forest and undergrowth, was contained with the help of 22 firefighters from the public fire service and four from the DVD Zaton unit. Despite the efforts, the fire caused significant damage, though the direction of the wind helped prevent its spread toward residential areas and the Petka park. Local regulations prohibit the unauthorized use of fireworks, and violations carry penalties including fines or short-term imprisonment. During the investigation, the man did not voluntarily report the incident to the police. It took several days of police work involving multiple officers to identify him as the person responsible. The court considered this factor along with the man’s apparent disregard for safety and the potential for future offenses. Legal experts noted that while the man’s actions were unintentional, they still constituted a serious breach of public safety laws. Under Croatian law, the crime of endangering life and property through dangerous acts carries a prison sentence ranging from six months to five years. Additionally, the law on fire protection provides for fines between 1,990 and 19,900 euros or up to 60 days in jail for intentional arson. While the fire did not result in casualties, the incident highlighted the risks associated with unsupervised pyrotechnics in populated areas.
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.
Become a Supporter
Croatia
