Two adults and a child were killed in a house fire in western Germany, authorities said on Monday.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of the day on the first floor of a four-story house in Solingen and quickly went out of control, a fire department spokesman told public broadcaster WDR.
At least 21 people had been rescued, nine of whom were taken to hospital with serious injuries, including two in critical condition, according to the spokesman. Several others were treated on-site for smoke inhalation and slight injuries.
Authorities said firefighters were still searching for a missing child, but the work was proceeding slowly due to fear that parts of the building might collapse.
Local media reported that the old building's wooden stairs quickly burst into flames during the fire, people in the upper floors were trapped, and some of them tried to jump out of windows to save their lives.
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear. The police said an investigation was underway in cooperation with other state authorities.
Solingen's mayor Tim Kurzbach arrived at the scene and told reporters that the firefighters and emergency services did their utmost to save the victims.
“I pray for the deceased, and for the healing of all those injured,” he said, adding that he ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff on the city hall building.
“I would ask you to wait and see what the further investigations reveal. In my view, everyone should refrain from making speculations at such a moment. The police and the public prosecutor's office are doing everything that needs to be done,” he said.
