The police have shelved the case of the fire at Petrova bouda, perpetrator unknown

Trutnov - The police did not identify the perpetrator of the extensive fire at Petrova bouda in the Krkonoš mountains in August and have shelved the investigation. Today, Trutnov police spokesperson Věra Krejčová told ČTK. Criminal investigators looked into the case suspected of a crime of damage to another's property and ruled that intentional arson was the most likely scenario.
    "Despite all available materials, it was not possible to determine facts that could lead to the initiation of criminal prosecution against a specific person," Krejčová stated. According to her, the police will not disclose the results of the examinations that looked for flammable substances in the debris samples from the cabin. The spokesperson added that if new facts emerged in the case, the police would reopen the case file.
    The police estimated the damage to the architecturally protected structure at 1.5 million crowns. The possible arsonist could face up to three years in prison.
    Petrova bouda burned down on Monday, August 1. From the entire complex of three buildings, only parts of the outer walls and the transformer station were saved. During the examination of the debris, a police dog identified four locations where chemical substances might be present. From the marked locations, police technicians secured charred debris for examination purposes. Firefighters indicated shortly after the fire that it was likely deliberately set.
    Petrova bouda, located at an altitude of 1,288 meters above sea level, has been closed to tourists since 2008. In recent years, the structure has been damaged by moisture and vandalism. According to some experts, the building was at risk of collapse due to its poor technical condition.
    The potential method for the restoration of Petrova bouda will be determined by the National Heritage Institute (NPÚ) based on the results of ongoing surveys and assessments. "NPÚ is conducting documentation of the preserved ruins, a historical construction assessment, and defining the preserved heritage values that should be preserved," said the heritage specialists. The company Snowy Chalet, which owned the cabin, previously stated that the site should be cleared by the beginning of this winter. The company indicated that it will discuss the restoration of the cabin with heritage specialists.
    According to heritage specialists, Petrova bouda was one of the most popular and also one of the most progressive buildings in the context of Krkonoš buildings and tourism developed during the 19th and 20th centuries. They consider the construction of the southern hotel building in 1887 to be a pioneering achievement. According to heritage specialists, it is necessary to treat even the burned ruins as a cultural monument and to strive for the restoration of the structure.