Fire breaks out at home of Czech arms boss who supplies Ukraine

A fire broke out overnight on Tuesday at a house in Prague's Kunratice district belonging to Martin Drda, the billionaire owner of Czech arms maker STV Group, Czech media reported.

Neighbours spotted flames near the entrance to the house, close to the garage, about half an hour before midnight, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing Czech outlet Novinky. A fire brigade used a high-pressure water jet to put out the blaze, which covered an area of one square metre, fire service spokesman Miroslav Rezac said. The fire also spread to the building's insulation and frame, forcing firefighters to dismantle part of it and check for hidden embers with a thermal camera.

An investigator assessed the financial damage at the scene, Rezac said. Police spokesman Richard Hrdina confirmed that forensic investigators are examining the circumstances and have not ruled out any cause, including a technical fault, negligence or deliberate arson.

STV Group is one of the key suppliers of ammunition and military equipment to Ukraine amid Russia's war against the country, Ukrainska Pravda reported. Czech outlet Blesk.cz noted that the Financial Times recently reported intelligence sources as saying the leaders of arms manufacturing firms could become targets of Russian agents.