One killed following explosion, fire at building housing asylum seekers in Germany

An explosion and fire were reported at a buildinghousing asylum seekersin Germany on Monday (July 8). A report by DW said that the building was locatedin Buchholz in der Nordheide, just south of Hamburg in Lower Saxony. Police were called to the scene after tips of a possible fire hazard around midday. One person was killed in the explosion.

According to police, two officersaccompanied by two employees at the facility, entered the building and they soon perceived the smell of gasoline. "There was a sudden explosion in the building. The facility was set fully on fire as a result of this. Several people were injured, some of them seriously," the police said in a statement.

Victim is yet to be identified

The police found the lifeless body inside the building. Thevictim, a woman,was yet to be identified.Meanwhile,the injured were either tended to on-site or sent to medical facilities, depending on their needs, the police added.

The police further said that all available fire crews,rescue teams and police were deployed to the site, and people were asked to avoid the area.

Investigation to be launched

The fire at the building was doused and the rescue work was complete, the DW report said. A total of 20 people were injured in the explosion and one of them was severely wounded, the police said.

Police said that "detailed evidence-gathering and investigations into the cause of the fire" would start as soon as possible.