German neo-Nazi suspected of deadly 1970 fire at Jewish retirement home

In 1970, a devastating fire at a Jewish community center in Munich claimed seven lives and injured 15 others. The perpetrator remains unidentified, though German investigators now believe they have found the identity of the arsonist. The suspect, identified as Bernd V, a 25-year-old neo-Nazi with known antisemitic views, tragically passed away in 2020.

The fire occurred around 20:40 on February 13th, 1970, when the suspect allegedly poured gasoline into the wooden stairwell of the retirement home and set it ablaze. The blaze quickly spread to the top floor, with many victims escaping the building or being rescued by firefighters. However, four victims perished in the stairwell, and another died after jumping from a window.

Prosecutors have credible information from a woman who came forward after the death of a relative who knew the suspect well. The suspect reportedly made claims about wanting to set the Jews on fire near the community center, which corroborated by other witnesses who described him as having a Hitler fixation. The female witness's relative had participated in a failed burglary the night of the arson attack, which reportedly infuriated Bernd V and fueled his antisemitic rage.

Despite the presumption of innocence still applying after the suspect's death, German authorities have now closed the investigation, attributing the arson to Bernd V based on the compelling evidence provided by the witness.