Apartment Fire Leaves Three Dead

A fire broke out at an apartment building in Bochum, western Germany, in the early hours of Tuesday (13 October 2026), killing three people and injuring five others. Firefighters raced against the flames and thick smoke to rescue the building’s residents.

A Bochum fire brigade spokesperson told public broadcaster WDR that emergency services received a report of the fire at about 4.15am local time. By the time firefighters arrived, the blaze had spread widely, making the evacuation difficult.

Firefighters could not reach the upper floors via the building’s stairwell because the route was blocked by flames and smoke. Five residents were rescued: two using a hydraulic platform ladder, two with portable ladders, and one who jumped on to an air-cushion rescue mat.

During the firefighting operation, emergency crews found three bodies in a flat on the second floor. The five survivors were reported to have suffered injuries, although the report did not specify their severity.

Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, including whether the affected flat was equipped with a smoke detector. The victims’ identities and the suspected point of origin have not been disclosed.