Spanish Police Hunt Belgian Man Who Allegedly Set Ex-Wife’s B&B on Fire
Spanish authorities are urgently searching for a 53-year-old Belgian man who allegedly set fire to his ex-partner’s bed and breakfast in Tossa de Mar on the Costa Brava, just two days after being released from custody under a restraining order. The victim and her 13-year-old son have been forced into hiding, fearing for their lives until the suspect is apprehended.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the suspect, identified as Arthur E., is an experienced motorcyclist familiar with the Costa Brava region. The Catalan police force Mossos d’Esquadra are leading a large-scale search operation, with the suspect believed to have fled into the forested hills surrounding the coastal town.
Background and Escalation
The victim, a Belgian woman from the Kempen region, moved to Tossa de Mar in early 2025 with her son, where she and Arthur E. co-ran a B&B in the Urbanización Sant Grau de Tossa. She described the relationship as deeply troubled, telling HLN that her ex-partner was “extremely jealous” and violent toward her son.
The situation came to a head on Wednesday, July 15, when Arthur E. allegedly physically assaulted the 13-year-old boy for completing his chores “in the wrong order.” The boy fled the property and was taken in by Dutch tourists, who brought him to the police. Officers arrested Arthur E. on suspicion of child abuse, child labor, and domestic violence, seizing two airsoft weapons during the arrest.
A Restraining Order Ignored
A judge released Arthur E. on Thursday, July 16, under strict conditions including a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim and barring him from approaching the B&B. However, according to the victim, the suspect violated the order almost immediately.
“He bombarded me with messages all Friday evening and night,” she told HLN. On Saturday at 14:00, he appeared at the B&B looking for her. She and her son fled to a neighbor’s house, and the suspect also attempted to gain entry there but failed.
The Fire and Escape
Around 14:30 on Saturday, July 18, a passerby spotted smoke rising from the B&B. Investigators determined that the fire had been deliberately set: batteries were spread on the victim’s bed, gasoline was poured, and the blaze was ignited. The suspect also allegedly unscrewed the gas caps from two motorcycles inside the building, hoping they would catch fire as well.
“He wanted to burn down the entire building,” the victim said. Two guests staying at the B&B suffered smoke inhalation and required medical attention. The living quarters where the victim and her son resided were completely destroyed, though the guest rooms were spared.
Emergency services initially believed the suspect was still inside the burning building. They later discovered a motorcycle was missing and concluded that Arthur E. had fled into the surrounding forests. Spanish media, including El Mundo, reported that the suspect may have been wearing a military-style camouflage outfit.
A Family in Hiding
The victim and her son have been placed in a secret safe house. Speaking to HLN, she expressed her fear: “Until he is found, we have to go into hiding. He has completely lost it.” She added that the suspect took her identity card and car keys, saying, “Probably just to make my life difficult.”
El Confidencial reported via EFE that the case is being treated as an instance of “violencia machista” (gender-based violence), reflecting Spain’s strong legal framework against domestic abuse. The case highlights a critical gap in the enforcement of restraining orders, as the suspect was able to contact and approach the victim within days of his release.
The Manhunt Continues
As of Tuesday, July 21, Arthur E. remains at large. The Mossos d’Esquadra, supported by local police, continue their search operation across the forested terrain around Tossa de Mar. Given that the suspect is a Belgian national wanted by Spanish authorities, an international arrest warrant through Europol or Interpol may be issued if he is believed to have fled Spain.
The suspect faces potential charges including arson, attempted murder, domestic violence, child abuse, child labor, and violating a restraining order. For now, the victim and her son remain in hiding, waiting for news that the man who turned their lives upside down has been found.”