After the fire in a residential building in Vechta, the police suspect arson as the cause. According to witness statements, a man was temporarily arrested as a suspected arsonist near the scene of the fire that night, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday. The identity of the suspect was not immediately clear. He was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. The background was initially unknown. The residents of the house had been away, it said.

The fire caused property damage of 500,000 euros on Wednesday night. A firefighter suffered minor injuries while fighting the fire. According to the police, a total of 80 firefighters and forces from the Technical Relief Agency were deployed.