Authorities find chemical that could have caused kiosk blast.
Last night, a devastating explosion and fire occurred at a kiosk in Düsseldorf, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and injuring sixteen others. The blaze swiftly spread to the adjacent residential and commercial building. Authorities suspect that petrol was used as an accelerant for the fire.
Initial investigations show that petrol was likely the cause of the tragic incident that took three lives and injured many more in Düsseldorf. The police and public prosecutor's office believe that petrol was spilled as a fire accelerant at the site of the fire. Fire investigators have uncovered conclusive proof. Remains of the 48-year-old kiosk operator were found nearby. The examiners discovered that the operator perished instantaneously due to the force of the explosion.
It has been revealed that the victims are a 18-year-old individual, a 48-year-old man, and a 55-year-old resident of the building, whose name was made public on Thursday. According to the current evidence, the 18-year-old and the 55-year-old men lost their lives due to inhalation of toxic smoke. The injured individuals from the night of the tragedy are all being treated in hospitals, with some receiving further care in special clinics. A woman with severe injuries remains severely ill.
The 48-year-old man is the husband of the kiosk operator. The couple ran the store together. Tragically, he was at the kiosk's entrance when the explosion occurred.
Investigations into the circumstances ongoing
The investigation into the motive behind the crime and those involved has yet to be concluded, as reported. There is currently no sign of politically motivated criminality or external influence. The murder inquiry has been entrusted to the police.
The "Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung" reported, based on a conversation with the kiosk leaseholder, that the contract had been terminated due to a flurry of complaints from the neighborhood. However, a police representative neither confirmed nor denied this information.
The fire was initially detected on the first floor early on Thursday morning. The clean-up of the building was mostly completed by Friday morning, allowing traffic to return to normal. The area near the fire station was cordoned off with fences, and wooden boards were placed in front of the remains of the kiosk on the first floor. A red heart was graffiti on a side of the building, with flowers and candles laid nearby.
City offers aid to residents
The city of Düsseldorf has made available 43 beds for the residents of the fire house, stated a city spokesperson. Four of these beds were occupied by a family of four, and they were relocated to a hotel. Thirty-seven of the available beds can be found in various hotels, with the remaining six offered in buildings designated for such use. As some of the residents remain hospitalized, more beds may be required in the coming days, according to the spokesperson.
The scene of the fire was filled with heartrending moments on Thursday morning. When the fire department arrived at the burned-out house, people who could not escape via the stairwell were signalling their distress from their balconies. Using turntable ladders, they were saved from the flames. The fire department also assisted residents from surrounding buildings, with emotional support provided by crisis counsellors. Three vehicles were also destroyed by the fire, one of which was parked across the street from the fire station.
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The explosion and subsequent fire in Düsseldorf last night occurred at an international kiosk, adding to the international concern over such incidents. Due to the severity of the fire, Düsseldorf authorities have requested aid from international firefighting teams for assistance in their investigation.
Source: www.ntv.de
