BERLIN

An arson attempt targeted a refugee building in the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said on Saturday.

The security personnel in the building informed the police that objects were thrown at the facade of the building in the middle of the night, the State Criminal Police Office said in a statement.

The fire that caused damage was extinguished by the security personnel. No casualties were reported and the police launched an investigation into attack, it added.

Armin Schuster, the interior minister in the Saxony state, described the incident as an arson attempt.

The incident is a signal that such inhumane crimes are not a thing of the past, he said, adding police patrols have been increased around all refugee hostels in Saxony.

* Writing by Gozde Bayar