A devastating fire broke out in a residential building in the German city of Bochum early Tuesday, resulting in the tragic deaths of three Indian nationals and leaving five others injured. Following the incident, local authorities have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian resident of the building on suspicion of murder. Investigators have officially ruled out any technical fault and are currently probing the incident as a suspected arson attack.
According to German media reports, the fatal blaze erupted around 4:15 AM local time in a multi-family residential building located in Bochum’s Hofstede district. The victims who lost their lives include two women aged 25 and 27, alongside a 26-year-old man, though their names and home states in India have not yet been publicly released.
The rescue operation proved exceptionally challenging as the flames raced rapidly upward through the stairwell, trapping residents on the upper floors. Emergency responders managed to rescue five individuals using a turntable ladder, portable ladders, and a safety cushion, while the five injured victims suffering from severe smoke inhalation were rushed to local hospitals in Bochum.
Citing local police and public broadcaster WDR, authorities confirmed that the arrested Romanian national was questioned by the homicide squad as investigators work to determine whether the fire was set deliberately or started accidentally.
