Explosion in Regensburg: apartment block ablaze, two residents missing, five hurt
A blast at around 4 a.m. set an apartment building ablaze. Two residents are believed to be still inside, and three buildings are at risk of collapse.
Archive image · Photo: Dietmar Rabich / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped and resized)
An explosion ripped through an apartment building in the Bavarian city of Regensburg at around 4 a.m. on Wednesday. The building was fully engulfed in flames immediately afterwards, according to the Upper Palatinate police; residents raised the alarm. Five people were injured and taken to hospitals. A police officer treated for suspected smoke inhalation has already been discharged.
Two residents are missing and are believed to be still inside the building. Police described their situation as "particularly critical." The building and two neighbouring houses are at risk of collapse and could not be entered as of midday; the THW technical relief agency is shoring them up. The fire service, which deployed around 100 personnel, said 27 residents of the three buildings were temporarily housed at a local inn.
The cause remains unclear, police said. A gas explosion was initially suspected. Fire investigators from the Regensburg criminal police are securing evidence with support from the Bavarian State Criminal Police Office. Four apartments were directly affected by the blast, and parts of the facade were torn away. Police have asked witnesses to come forward, including anyone who heard suspicious noises.