In Kharkiv, a heating network employee helped catch an arsonist red-handed.

A criminal was apprehended in Kharkiv for committing arson throughout the city, specifically targeting branches of "Nova Poshta" and heating networks.

This information was reported by Kharkiv heating networks, as conveyed by "Dumka".

According to the heating networks, one night a resident of Kharkiv carried out two intentional acts of arson in the Nemishlyansky district. The man managed to damage the entrance door of one of the "Nova Poshta" branches and then proceeded to set fire to the building of the municipal heating enterprise.

The offender doused a window with a flammable substance, took a lighter, and attempted to ignite it. However, at two o'clock in the morning, a vigilant employee of the heating networks spotted the thief from the window of his own apartment and reported it to the dispatchers, who then informed the police, leading to his arrest "in the act".

It is known that the heating workers had just completed repairs and modernization of the heating points last summer. The arsons at two central heating points forced them to cover the windows with metal. In the future, they will need to restore the damaged windows and electrical equipment. Another pressing issue is the heating meters. Over the course of three years of war, more than 30 of them have been stolen. In each case, to restore the damaged network, it is necessary to drain the heat carrier, install the device, and restart the heating in the building. This is a half-day job.

"The theft of meters in 2024 was committed by one of the former utility plumbers. He operated in shelters at 5:00 AM and could face up to 10 years in prison. The absurdity of the situation lies in the fact that both criminals damaged the heating workers' property right next to their own homes. In other words, they hindered the heating supply to their own radiators. Fortunately, law enforcement once again fulfilled their duty professionally. The only request to citizens is not to remain indifferent," noted Artem Kovalenko, Deputy Head of the Security Service of Kharkiv Heating Networks.