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Two women and a man died in a blaze in Bochum, while five others were injured
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Investigators suspect arson after ruling out a technical fault
Three Indian nationals were killed and five other people injured in a fire at a residential building in the German city of Bochum, prompting police to arrest a 41-year-old resident on suspicion of murder.
The victims were two women aged 25 and 27 and a 26-year-old man, according to German public broadcaster WDR, which cited information released by Bochum police. Their names and home states in India have not been disclosed.
The fire broke out early on Tuesday in a multi-family residential building in the Hofstede district. Emergency services received the alert at around 4.15 am local time.
Firefighters discovered the three victims dead in an apartment on the second floor. The five injured people suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals in Bochum. Their nationalities and other details have not been made public.
Police arrested the 41-year-old man on Wednesday after investigators identified grounds for suspecting him of murder. German media reports said he was a Romanian national. He was questioned by officers from the homicide squad as authorities began investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
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Investigators have ruled out a technical fault as the cause of the fire and are treating arson as a possible explanation
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However, it remains unclear whether the blaze was deliberately started or began accidentally
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The investigation is continuing
The rescue operation was complicated by flames spreading upwards through the building’s stairwell, making it difficult for firefighters to reach residents on the upper floors using the usual route.
Emergency crews rescued several people using a turntable ladder, portable ladders and a safety cushion, according to German media reports.
The incident has raised serious questions about how the fire started and whether it was intentionally set. Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the suspect’s arrest does not establish guilt.
