Police and fire services responded to a significant fire at a Netto supermarket on Ryvangs Allé near Hellerup Station on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred during store opening hours, prompting immediate evacuation of customers and staff.
Authorities suspect the fire was deliberately set. Security footage shows a young boy, estimated to be 8-10 years old, repeatedly approaching the area where the fire started. The footage reveals suspicious behavior as the child moves toward the Christmas decoration section multiple times before smoke appears.
"We can see photos and videos of a young person, a boy, who we estimate to be 8-10 years old," said the police duty officer. "The person exhibits what we consider suspicious behavior in the sense that he repeatedly goes to and from this fire scene where you can see smoke appearing, and then he leaves the place."
Police emphasize they want to speak with the individual or his parents to understand what happened. "There might be a good explanation for this, and he might have nothing to do with it. But we definitely want to talk to the person involved," the duty officer added.
The quick response prevented any injuries. "Fortunately, it happened at a time when it was quite easy to get people out of the store, so no one was injured or needed medical observation," officials confirmed.
Despite the successful evacuation, the supermarket sustained substantial damage. Extensive smoke damage affected both the building structure and merchandise. The store will likely remain closed for an extended period, disrupting local shopping patterns in the Hellerup area.
Emergency services from multiple municipalities collaborated on the response. Beredskab Øst coordinated resources from Gentofte, Lyngby, and Gladsaxe fire stations, with additional support from Hovedstadens Beredskab. The fire was described as intense in social media updates from emergency services.
This incident raises questions about retail security and juvenile fire-setting behavior in Denmark. Similar cases in recent years have highlighted challenges in addressing youth involvement in property damage incidents. Danish authorities typically approach such cases with emphasis on understanding motivations rather than immediate punishment, especially for very young children.
The location near Hellerup Station makes this particularly concerning given the high pedestrian traffic in the area. Local residents rely on this Netto for daily shopping needs, and its temporary closure will inconvenience many families in the affluent northern Copenhagen suburb.
Police continue their investigation while reviewing all available surveillance footage from the store and surrounding area. They urge anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing their primary concern is understanding the circumstances rather than immediate prosecution given the child's young age.