Germany: 30 Injured After Syrian Man Sets 2 Fires and Rams His Van Into 2 Shops in Essen, Arrested (Watch Videos)
A man has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in the western German city of Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops, authorities said Sunday.
Berlin, September 29: A man has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in the western German city of Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops, authorities said Sunday.
Emergency services were alerted to two fires in residential buildings in quick succession shortly after 5 pm Saturday, police said. The injured people included eight children who were seriously hurt, and two of them were in a life-threatening condition after inhaling smoke. Munich Shooting: Heavy Firing Outside Israeli Consulate in Germany, Terrifying Video Capturing Exchange of Fire Surfaces.
Shortly after the fires broke out, a van drove into two shops in the city, causing damage to property but no injuries. The suspect then allegedly threatened people with weapons, but several men managed to push him back with shovels and poles and hold him until police arrived. Munich Shocker: 57-Year-Old Man Allegedly Beaten to Death by ‘Group of Several Men’ Near Old Botanical Gardens in Germany, Probe Launched.
Suspect Arrested
Police said the suspect was a 41-year-old Essen resident with Syrian citizenship. They said they were investigating a possible motive. The fire service said that, when it arrived at the scene of the first blaze, smoke was billowing from the entrance of the building and people were calling for help from windows. Neighbours had put up ladders to help people escape, but they weren't long enough to reach the upper floors.