A 41-year-old man has been arrested in Essen, Germany, after allegedly setting two fires and driving a van into shops, leaving 30 people injured, including eight children.
The incidents occurred on Saturday evening, with authorities responding to the fires and vehicle attack in quick succession, according to police.
Emergency services were first alerted to two fires in residential buildings shortly after 5 p.m. The fires caused thick smoke to pour from the entrances of the buildings, with people trapped inside and calling for help from windows.
Neighbours rushed to assist by placing ladders to reach the trapped residents, but these were not tall enough to access the upper floors.
Firefighters arrived to find heavy smoke and multiple individuals in need of rescue. Many residents were treated on the scene for smoke inhalation.
Among the injured were eight children, two of whom are in life-threatening condition after severe smoke inhalation, authorities confirmed.
“The smoke made it impossible for people to escape on their own,” a spokesperson for the Essen fire department said. “We worked with all available resources to bring the situation under control and ensure the safety of the residents.”
Shortly after the fires were set, a van drove into two shops in Essen, damaging property but miraculously causing no injuries. According to eyewitness reports, the driver exited the vehicle and threatened bystanders with weapons.
Several men nearby acted quickly, defending themselves with shovels and poles to subdue the suspect. They managed to hold him down until police arrived and took him into custody.
Police later identified the suspect as a Syrian national and Essen resident. Authorities are continuing to investigate the events surrounding the fires and van attack, including the man’s possible motives.
As of Sunday, there was no immediate indication that the attacks were politically motivated. However, the suspect’s lawyer, Volker Schröder, suggested that the motive behind the attacks was related to personal issues rather than political or ideological beliefs.
“This is a purely tragic family story,” Schröder told the Germany Press Agency. “It involves a fight with his wife over custody of the children and possibly a mental disorder.” Schröder further emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest any terrorist intent.
Investigators are now looking into the mental health of the suspect as they continue to piece together the sequence of events.
The man’s family circumstances and recent behavior will form part of the inquiry, as police search for a clearer understanding of the situation.
The scale of the emergency response included not only local police and fire units but also medical services that rushed the injured to nearby hospitals.
Authorities have said that they will provide more information as it becomes available but are urging the public to remain vigilant in the wake of the incident.
The suspect remains in police custody, and charges are expected to be filed in the coming days.
The police investigation continues, focusing both on the fires and the vehicle attack, as authorities work to determine the full extent of the man’s actions and the impact on the local community.