Bochum (Rajeev Sharma): Three Indian nationals were killed and five other people injured in a fire at a residential building in Bochum, Germany, early Tuesday. Police have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the building on suspicion of murder, according to German media reports.
The victims were two women aged 25 and 27 and a 26-year-old man, German public broadcaster WDR reported, citing information released by Bochum police. Their identities and home states in India have not been reported.
The fire broke out in a multi-family residential building in Bochum’s Hofstede district at around 4.15 am local time on Tuesday. Emergency services were alerted shortly afterwards.
What Happened In The Bochum Building Fire?
Firefighters found the three Indian nationals dead inside an apartment on the second floor of the building. Five other people suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals in Bochum. Their nationalities have not been specified in the available reports.
The rescue operation was particularly difficult because flames had spread upwards through the stairwell, preventing firefighters from using it to reach residents on the upper floors.
According to a report by German news channel n-tv, citing the German Press Agency (DPA), firefighters rescued two people using a turntable ladder, two with portable ladders and another person with a safety cushion.
Why Has A Resident Been Arrested?
Police and prosecutors announced the arrest of a 41-year-old resident on Wednesday. German media reported that the man is a Romanian national and is suspected of murder.
A Bochum police spokesperson told WDR that initial grounds for suspicion of murder had emerged against the man, who had been questioned by officers from the homicide squad.
The arrest does not establish the suspect’s guilt. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths and the cause of the fire.
Was The Fire Deliberately Set?
Investigators have ruled out a technical defect as the cause of the blaze and suspect arson. However, whether the fire was deliberately set or started accidentally remains under investigation.
Authorities have not yet publicly established how the fire began. The investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances of the blaze and the deaths.
What Is Known About The Victims?
The three people who died were Indian nationals aged 25, 26 and 27. The two women were 25 and 27, while the man was 26.
Their names and home states in India have not been reported. Details about the five injured people, including their nationalities, have also not been specified in the available media reports.
