Author Kim de l’Horizon fined for causing apartment fire

Swiss and German Book Prize winner Kim de l’Horizon has been issued a suspended fine of 12,000 Swiss francs for causing a fire through negligence. The incident occurred in January at a residence in Zurich while the 34-year-old author was maintaining a wooden bookshelf with an oil-wax preparation.

According to reports, de l’Horizon placed cleaning cloths soaked in the substance into a fabric bag and left them next to an active heater, intending to wash them the following day. The product contained linseed oil, which can release thermal energy through oxidation. When stored in a closed bag, this heat can accumulate, leading to spontaneous combustion.

The fire resulted in approximately 110,000 Swiss francs in damages to the building and furniture. The blaze was discovered by a roommate during the night, leading to an evacuation and the deployment of the Zurich fire department.