A man in his 30s was arrested at 8:30 PM on Thursday evening. At 11:21 PM, the Innlandet police district issued a press release stating that a person had been arrested and was suspected of starting the fires. Police believe someone set the fires intentionally and that the incidents are not coincidental.
The series of fires began just after 4:00 PM in Briskebyen. Shortly after, emergency services were dispatched to a new fire, also in Briskebyen, with strong smoke development in a residence. A few hours later, emergency services received reports of two more fires in the Rollsløkka and Disen areas.
The last known fire incident occurred at approximately 4:50 PM at Ridabu, burning in terrain, grass, or a hedge, and was extinguished by a resident in the area. A fifth fire incident was reported to the police on Thursday evening. The first four known fires occurred within a radius of under 1 kilometer.
Police see a clear connection between the incidents and have escalated preparedness. There is a large police presence in the city that will last over time. The police did not know whether there was one or more perpetrators involved in the fires.
No persons were injured in the fires, but a police officer was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. According to police, residences were set on fire, with moderate damage to all buildings. Police are urging people to be vigilant, keep watch over their own property, and report suspicious activity immediately.
People in Hamar were asked to be vigilant and keep watch. The arrested person will be presented for custody hearing on Saturday and does not admit guilt, according to his defense attorney. The arrested person is known to the police from before, and a forensic psychiatric evaluation will be conducted.