Small children in danger of death
Hatred of ex-wife – man sets fire to houses in Essen
Around 30 people were injured in two fires in Essen. photo
© Markus Gayk/dpa
The police are certain: A man set fire to two houses in Essen – 31 residents were injured. Perhaps there would have been even more if neighbors hadn’t shown moral courage.
According to police investigations, a man who used fire accelerant to set fires in two apartment buildings in the north of Essen is responsible for the fires. According to police, an arrest warrant was issued against the 41-year-old for, among other things, aggravated arson and attempted murder. His motive was that his wife had separated from him. Out of frustration, he wanted to kill people who supported his wife. The Essen native with Syrian citizenship had previously been reported for threats and damage to property.
Resident: The first child was rescued by residents
The fires in two apartment buildings broke out on Saturday afternoon in the Altenessen and Stoppenberg districts. Shortly afterwards, the stairwells were no longer passable, so the residents were trapped. Before the fire department arrived, neighbors put ladders on the walls and climbed up themselves.
“It was the case that the fire brigade wasn’t there yet, but the first child had already been rescued by the residents,” said neighbor Petra Stolarski on WDR television. “No – I’m not saying this in a bad way – no German residents, but actually all immigrants who really selflessly went up there. Even when the fire brigade came, until the ladder and the basket were extended, they continued.” One of the volunteers, Schehmus Mamadu, said on WDR: “It can’t be right – everyone is watching and nobody is doing anything.” That’s why some “colleagues” and he acted.
The fire department was finally able to bring all residents to safety. At its peak, around 160 emergency services were involved.
Several people show moral courage
According to police, after the 41-year-old allegedly set the fires, he drove away and rammed two grocery stores in the Katernberg district several times with a white van. Video images presumably show the perpetrator storming into one of the shops with a machete and a knife – the police speak of stabbing weapons. Nobody was injured there.
Shortly afterwards, the perpetrator was held at bay by several men in a backyard in the immediate area until the police arrived. Mayor Thomas Kufen (CDU) later said: “I would like to thank everyone who prudently helped to bring the alleged perpetrator to task for their moral courage.”
According to Reul, according to current knowledge, the crimes were “the work of a man who may not have been able to cope with the separation from his ex-wife.” The suspect’s lawyer made a similar statement. There is probably also a psychological disorder, he said.