5 dead in house fire in western Germany, technical defect possible cause

Officials say five people have died in a fire at a house in western Germany and a technical defect or negligence are suspected as possible causes. Police and prosecutors identified two of the victims of the fire in Lambrecht, a small town near Kaiserslautern, as Polish men aged 43 and 54.

They said autopsies next week should clarify the identities of the other three victims, which are two women and a man. They said the blaze broke out on the top floor of the house at 11.30 p.m. Thursday, and that there was no indication of foul play.

(With inputs from agencies.)