Overview

• The blaze broke out around 12:40 p.m. Sunday on Grünstraße, engulfing a vacant structure and causing parts of the building to collapse.
• Firefighters, rescue services and police mounted a large response and continued follow-up extinguishing work.
• Police in Offenburg opened proceedings on suspicion of negligent arson after two juveniles and a child reported lighting old furniture that got out of control.
• Authorities issued a preliminary damage estimate of about €500,000 for the destroyed building.
• Officials say the minors' account is being examined and the official cause has not been confirmed.