Timber homes burn in traditional German town, arson suspected 05/05/2008 00:00

Historic buildings in a old-style German town are badly damaged during a blaze of suspicious origin. An arson investigation is now underway.

Hannoversch Muenden -- Fire gutted seven half-timbered buildings in the historic central German town Hannoversch Muenden on Sunday, though fire fighters managed to stop the blaze spreading to the rest of the area.

Six people were injured by toxic fumes during the fires, which police said started at the same time in two buildings 500 metres apart from each other. An arson inquiry has already been begun. The buildings date from the 16th to the 19th century.

"It looked like a war was going on. Windows were exploding, the roofs were caving in and flames were shooting 10 metres over the buildings," said a witness later in Muenden. Residents had to be rescued with fire-truck ladders.

DPA