THREE members of a Turkish family died after fire broke out in their apartment in the west German town of Krefeld and investigators believe the blaze was started deliberately, police said yesterday.
As yet there was no evidence to suggest a racially motivated attack, a police spokesman said.
Two of the victims - all members of a family named Demir - died after jumping from the apartment, in a high rise block in the town centre.
The 41 year old mother died on the scene while her 19 year old daughter died later in hospital as a result of her injuries. Firefighters found the body of a third member of the family, a 17 year old youth who had suffocated, in the flat.
Two female members of the family, both aged 15, also jumped from the flat and were in hospital suffering from serious injuries.
Around 30 residents in the block were evacuated from their homes and four people received treatment for smoke inhalation.