Fire gutted seven half-timbered buildings in an historic central German town on Sunday, but firefighters managed to stop the blaze spreading to the rest of Hannoversch Muenden, the dpa reported.
Six people were injured by toxic fumes during the fires, which police said started at the same time in two buildings 500 metres apart. An inquiry began into suspected arson. The buildings date from the 16th to the 19th century.
"It looked like a war was going on. Windows were exploding, the roofs were caving in and flames were shooting 10 metres over the buildings," said a witness later in Muenden. Residents had to be rescued with fire-truck ladders.