A person has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires within the western German metropolis of Essen that left 30 folks injured and driving a van into two retailers, authorities mentioned Sunday.
Emergency companies have been alerted to 2 fires in residential buildings in fast succession shortly after 5 p.m. Saturday, police mentioned.
The injured folks included eight youngsters who have been critically harm, and two of them have been in a life-threatening situation after inhaling smoke.
Shortly after the fires broke out, a van drove into two retailers within the metropolis, inflicting injury to property however no accidents.
The suspect then allegedly threatened folks with weapons, however a number of males managed to push him again with shovels and poles and maintain him till police arrived.
Police mentioned the suspect was a 41-year-old Essen resident with Syrian citizenship.
They mentioned they have been investigating a attainable motive.
The hearth service mentioned that, when it arrived on the scene of the primary blaze, smoke was billowing from the doorway of the constructing and other people have been calling for assist from home windows.
Neighbors had put up ladders to assist folks escape, however they weren’t lengthy sufficient to succeed in the higher flooring.
