Couple extinguishes roadside fire, encounters suspicious individuals

A couple traveling with their two children near Škabrnja, Croatia, reacted swiftly to a small fire they spotted by the roadside in the dark. The woman recounted to 24sata that her husband immediately extinguished the flames with a bottle of water.

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We were driving towards Škabrnja. It was dark and we saw a small fire. Reflexively I stopped, my husband put it out with a bottle of water.

Their quick action potentially prevented the fire from spreading. However, the situation escalated when they noticed a car with four people nearby, two of whom were outside the vehicle. One of the individuals confronted the husband, asking, "What business is it of yours what I'm doing?"

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One was yelling at my husband: 'What business is it of yours what I'm doing?' I was looking for my phone to record at that moment. I called 112, I read them the car's registration and they fled at that moment.

The woman attempted to record the scene with her phone and called emergency services, providing the car's license plate. The individuals then fled the scene. She described the experience as highly stressful, especially with their children present, stating, "It was in a second. We were with two children, there was fear and panic."

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It was in a second. We were with two children, there was fear and panic.

Police arrived promptly following the report. Authorities later arrested four individuals in the wider Benkovac area on suspicion of arson. Unconfirmed reports suggest the investigation may involve the USKOK anti-corruption office and could potentially include elements of terrorism.

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It wasn't fear, I was afraid when I saw my husband going towards them after he put out the fire. At that moment, it was important to me that the fire was extinguished.