Tingbjerg resident extinguishes container fire after fireworks block firefighters

A 75-year-old resident had to put out a container fire himself in Tingbjerg, a neighbourhood in northwestern Copenhagen, after firefighters were prevented from reaching the scene, DR reported.

Paulerik Skjold Kristjansen said he was woken overnight on Monday by loud fireworks and cannon crackers. When he looked outside, he saw three or four containers burning below his window.

He went downstairs, where neighbours had gathered and said the fire service could not get through. A neighbour brought out a garden hose, and Kristjansen used it to extinguish the flames.

“The fire service did not get there at all. They couldn’t. They were met with fireworks and stones,” he told P1 Morgen.

The container fires over the weekend have been described by police as “gross pranks”. Police say the unrest followed the shooting of a 22-year-old driver during what they call a pursuit on Saturday.

The man’s condition is stable. The case is being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Authority, as are all cases in which police fire their weapons.

Kristjansen said he believes the area needs more surveillance, arguing that some people take every opportunity to cause trouble.

Niels Peder Ravn, a Conservative member of Copenhagen’s city council, called the situation unacceptable. He said parents should help keep young people who commit crimes indoors at night.

Ravn said he would seek discussions at Copenhagen City Hall about introducing local police in Tingbjerg. He also criticised previous integration initiatives, including community kitchens and sports activities, saying they had not helped enough.

A residents’ demonstration has been called in Tingbjerg for Tuesday.