Resident investigated after Essen building fire, explosion

Police have launched a homicide investigation following a fire and subsequent explosion in a multi-family residential building in Essen, Germany. Authorities are investigating a resident of the building on suspicion of intentionally starting the blaze.

The incident began with a fire in a backyard area, which rapidly spread to the roof structure. During the firefighting efforts, a significant explosion occurred within the building. Fire officials reported that a pressure vessel detonated in the area where the fire was concentrated. This explosion resulted in three firefighters suffering from acoustic trauma, requiring hospitalization.

While neighbors and the 63-year-old suspect remained unharmed as they were not present in the building at the time of the fire, the building itself sustained severe damage. The fire took nearly four hours to extinguish. The multi-family house, composed of three connected sections, along with two adjacent buildings, has been declared uninhabitable.

The suspect, due to an unrelated pending matter at the regional court, was issued a confinement order following the incident and has been transferred to a psychiatric facility. Investigations into the exact cause of the fire and the extent of the damages are ongoing.