Inmate-Caused Fire at Konstanz Prison Injures Police and Sends Several to Hospital
A fire erupted at the Konstanz correctional facility (JVA) shortly before midnight on Sunday, December 28, 2025, triggering a large-scale emergency response and leaving four police officers and at least four others injured. Authorities have confirmed the fire was deliberately set by a prison inmate.
Konstanz, Germany – The incident, which unfolded on Monday night, began when an inmate ignited fabric within his cell, subsequently burning a plastic chair. The resulting heavy smoke quickly spread throughout the cell block, prompting a rapid response from the Konstanz fire department and local police.
According to police reports, the fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. However, the smoke caused significant distress among the inmate population. “Numerous inmates subsequently complained of a dry cough,” a senior official stated, adding that emergency services provided on-site treatment.
Two prison employees and two inmates were transported to a local hospital for treatment of suspected smoke inhalation. In addition to those hospitalized, four police officers sustained minor injuries due to smoke exposure while responding to the incident.
The extent of the damage to the correctional facility remains unclear as of 7:30 a.m. on December 29, 2025. The criminal police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the arson and will determine the full scope of the damage.
This incident comes amid a series of recent fires in the Bodensee-Oberschwaben region. Just days prior, authorities reported that 13-year-old boys confessed to arson in Friedrichshafen, and a residential house fire in Gailingen tragically resulted in the death of a 78-year-old resident.
. The recent uptick in fires raises concerns about potential patterns and the need for increased vigilance in the region.
