Three Indian nationals are dead and five others hospitalized after flames engulfed a multi-family residential building in Bochum, Germany, early Tuesday morning. Local media reported the incident on Wednesday, confirming the victims were two women, aged 25 and 27, and a man, 26. German public broadcaster WDR cited Bochum police for the casualty count, though the victims' home states remain undisclosed.
Police moved quickly to detain a suspect. A 41-year-old Romanian man was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, according to n-tv, which cited the German Press Agency. A Bochum police spokesperson told WDR that homicide squad officers questioned the man, noting initial grounds to suspect him of the crime. Prosecutors joined the announcement of the arrest, signaling the severity of the case.
The rescue operation was chaotic and dangerous. Firefighters found the three bodies inside a second-floor apartment. Flames had spread rapidly through the stairwell, blocking the primary escape route for residents on upper floors. Crews had to use turntable ladders and safety cushions to pull survivors from the building. Five people suffered smoke inhalation and were rushed to local hospitals.
Investigators have eliminated accidental causes. Authorities ruled out a technical defect as the origin of the fire and now suspect arson. However, they are still examining the specific circumstances to determine if the blaze was deliberately set or started accidentally. The probe into the deaths and the fire's cause continues.
The next phase of the investigation hinges on court proceedings for the detained suspect. German prosecutors will determine whether formal charges are filed based on forensic evidence from the scene. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in Germany is expected to engage with local authorities to assist the families of the deceased.