Arson Attack Targets Historic Christmas Market in Schorndorf, Bavaria
Despite a deliberate act of vandalism just hours before its opening, the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Schorndorf Christkindlmarkt will proceed as planned.
A wave of shock and condemnation has swept through the Bavarian town of Schorndorf following a pre-dawn arson attack on multiple stalls at the beloved Christkindlmarkt. The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, November 30th, came mere hours before the traditional opening of the market, held annually on the first Sunday of Advent.
According to reports, the perpetrators deliberately targeted wooden structures belonging to local community organizations. The mayor of Schorndorf, Max Schmaderer, stated that the stalls were sprayed with petroleum and then intentionally ignited. A local driver discovered the blaze at approximately 4:00 AM and immediately alerted the fire department.
“The shock still sits deep in our bones,” Schmaderer wrote on Facebook, expressing his dismay and characterizing the act as a “cowardly attack” against volunteers and local associations. He extended gratitude to the first responders, whose swift action prevented further devastation. Firefighters were even forced to extinguish flames on their own sales booth, demonstrating the widespread nature of the attack.
Law enforcement officials are currently analyzing footage captured by a surveillance camera that recorded the incident. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification of those responsible. Investigators at the scene detected the presence of accelerants, confirming the deliberate nature of the arson.
The Christkindlmarkt in Schorndorf is a deeply rooted tradition, celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Despite the damage inflicted, Schmaderer affirmed that the market will open as scheduled. He emphasized that a strong turnout from visitors would significantly aid the affected organizations in recovering from the financial impact of the arson.
“A good visit to the Christkindlmarkt would greatly help the damaged associations to compensate for the fire damage,” the mayor stated.
This incident follows a correction regarding the location of Schorndorf, which is situated in Bavaria, not Baden-Württemberg, as previously reported. The correction underscores the importance of accurate reporting, even in the face of rapidly developing events.
