Authorities say a man has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in the western German city of Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops.

A Syrian suspect has been arrested after fires broke out at two apartment blocks and a van was rammed into shops in the western Germany city of Essen, police said Sunday.

Two separate fires in the western German city of Essen left some 30 people injured on Saturday, including two toddlers in critical condition due to smoke inhalation, according to local authorities. Police said a 41-year-old Syrian man from Essen had been arrested as a suspect in connection with the fires.

A man has been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in the western German city of Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops, authorities said Sunday. Emergency services were alerted to two fires in residential buildings in quick succession shortly after 5 p.