Suspect arrested after allegedly setting two fires and driving into two stores in Germany

BERLIN — A man was arrested after he allegedly started two fires in the western German city of Essen that injured 30 people and after driving a van into two stores, authorities said Sunday.

As the police announced, the emergency services were alerted to two fires in residential buildings in quick succession shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday. Among the injured were eight children who were seriously injured, two of whom were in life-threatening condition due to smoke inhalation.

Shortly after the fires broke out, a van drove into two stores in the city, causing property damage 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 the police arrived.

According to the police, the suspect was a 41-year-old from Essen with Syrian citizenship. They said they were investigating a possible motive.

The fire department said that when they arrived at the scene of the first fire, smoke was coming from the entrance to the building and people were shouting for help from the windows. Neighbors had set up ladders to help people escape, but they were not long enough to reach the upper floors.