Bochum police arrest man suspected of causing fatal apartment fire

A 41-year-old Romanian man has been arrested in Bochum, Germany, on suspicion of causing an intentional fire that killed three Indian students. The incident occurred around 4:15 a.m. in a multi-level residential building on Poststrasse in the Hofstede district.

Investigators believe the fire was started by setting several children's strollers on fire in the building's hallway. The flames quickly spread to a wooden staircase, blocking the only evacuation route for residents. Firefighters discovered the bodies of the three victims, aged 25 to 26, in a second-floor apartment. The victims have been identified as Nova Sabu, Anjali Sheela Joy, and Sivin Johny, all students from the Kerala state in India.

Five other people were injured in the blaze, including one international student in critical condition. Emergency responders had to use portable ladders and safety cushions to rescue trapped residents. Authorities have ruled out technical malfunctions as the cause of the fire. The suspect, who resided in the same building, reportedly has a criminal history involving aggression and property crimes and is currently being interrogated by a homicide squad.