In Düsseldorf, the aftermath of a deadly explosion is starkly visible, with the six-story residential and commercial building’s facade blackened by the fire, and numerous windows shattered from the heat. Authorities have confirmed that the incident, which claimed three lives in the Flingern district, was an act of arson.
The police and prosecutor’s office have released initial information regarding the cause of the explosion and have since identified the three victims. The deceased include a 55-year-old tenant found in a first-floor apartment, an 18-year-old tenant who perished in the stairwell while attempting to escape the flames, and a 48-year-old man, the husband of the kiosk operator. The man was near the kiosk’s interior entrance at the time of the blast, and forensic evidence suggests he succumbed directly to the explosion’s effects.
Authorities have indicated that extensive forensic material gathered at the scene, including debris from the kiosk, has revealed traces of a chemical accelerant, specifically gasoline, which likely contributed to the fire’s intensity. Investigations by the criminal police and prosecutor’s office suggest that the gasoline was spilled in the ground-floor shop, leading to the formation of a flammable gasoline-air mixture that triggered the explosion. This deliberate act of arson was the root cause of the tragic event.
As the investigation into the incident and its motivations continues, there is currently no evidence pointing to politically motivated violence or external interference. The injured individuals are receiving treatment in several hospitals, with some requiring care in specialized facilities. One woman remains in critical condition, facing an ongoing threat to her life from the injuries sustained in the explosion.