Four people, including two children, were killed in a house fire in western Germany, authorities announced on Monday.
The blaze broke out in the early hours of the day on the first floor of a four-story home in Solingen and quickly went out of control, a fire department spokesman told public broadcaster WDR.
At least 21 people were rescued from the building, nine of whom were taken to the 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 confirmed in the afternoon that a body was found in the debris, while firefighters were searching for a missing child.
The victims are believed to have been trapped on one of the upper floors, as the aging structure's wooden stairs burst into flames shortly after the fire broke out.
Eyewitnesses have told local media that several others were seriously injured after jumping from the windows to escape.
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.
The police department did not release a statement on the identities of the victims, but residents of the neighborhood reported that they were of Bulgarian nationality.
