Three Indian nationals were killed in a fire at a residential building in the German city of Bochum, local media reported on Wednesday.
The victims were two women aged 25 and 27, and a 26-year-old man, German public broadcaster WDR (Westdeutscher Rundfunk) reported, citing information released by Bochum police.
Five other people were injured in the fire, which broke out early Tuesday. They suffered from smoke inhalation and were taken to hospitals in Bochum for treatment.
A 41-year-old resident has been arrested on initial suspicion of murder, local media reported, citing police. According to police, fire investigators examined the house and ruled out a technical defect as the cause of the fire and are now assuming arson.
However, investigators are yet to determine whether the fire was deliberately set or occurred accidentally.
About the incident
The fire broke out early Tuesday morning, with emergency responders discovering the three bodies in an apartment on the second floor.
The police were informed of the incident at 4:16 am. Rescue operations were particularly challenging as the flames had spread upwards through the stairwell, preventing firefighters from using it to evacuate residents, as they would typically do, according to local media.
