MIGRANT CAMP BLAZE: 'Refugees set light to mattress' in huge fire
FIVE people have been arrested after a huge blaze broke out at a refugee centre in Germany that houses hundreds of migrants.
Around 80 firefighters and police officers rushed to the centre
Around 80 firefighters and police officers rushed to the scene at Hoevelhof-Staumuhle refugee facility in North Rhine-Westphalia at around 3.30pm yesterday afternoon.
Pictures posted on social media showed thick, black smoke billowing from a one-storey house after the flames quickly spread from the barracks to the building's accommodation.
The five suspected of carrying out the arson attack that injured more than 50 people are believed to have set a mattress on fire, according to a spokesperson from the Bielefeld police.
However, the exact cause of the fire remains unclear.
The arson attacked injured at least 50 people
The exact cause of the fire has not yet been revealed
Police have confirmed the five arrested were migrants staying at the refugee centre.
Around 30 residents were rushed to hospital following the blaze, many suffering from smoke inhalation, while one was seriously injured.
Officers have not released any further details of their condition, but the fire brigade confirmed at least another 24 people were also treated at the scene.
The building is almost completely burnt down
Staumuhle is part of a facility which houses around 800 asylum seekers, who are mainly from the Balkans.
A police spokesman said: "The building is almost completely burnt down."
Investigations are currently ongoing and forensic experts are due to examine the burnt out remains at some point today.
Police said the building was almost completely burnt down
Thick smokes was seen billowing from the camp
The fire comes just days after police were called to the same refugee centre to a reported fight involving dozens of people.
Police detained four suspects but investigations continue.
And in May last year, a massive brawl involving dozens of refugees at the facility was also reported - with several people receiving minor injuries.