Dozens of people, including eight children, have been injured after a machete-wielding man allegedly set fire to homes and rammed a van into shops in a terrifying rampage in Germany.

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 Syrian man has been arrested after arson attacks left more than 30 people injured, including eight children. Fires were started at two apartment blocks and a van was rammed into shops in the western Germany city of Essen on Saturday night.

A man's been arrested after allegedly setting two fires in Essen that left 30 people injured and driving a van into two shops, authorities said on Sunday.

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

On Saturday in Essen, Germany, dramatic events unfolded. Almost simultaneously, fires erupted in two residential buildings, resulting in injuries to 31 people, including two children. The suspect in the arson is a 41-year-old Syrian citizen.