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2 North Africans suspected of arson in German refugee centre

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Firefighters try to extinguish a fire that has broken at a refugee accommodation on the grounds of the convention center in the western city of Duesseldorf, Tuesday, June 7, 2016. Joerg Schmitter, spokesman of the local firedepartment told The Associated Press that the fire started shortly after noon on Tuesday. He said that all people who had been in the hall appeared to have made it out. (Rolf Vennenbernd/dpa via AP)

BERLIN – German authorities say two North African men are suspected of starting a fire at their refugee centre in Duesseldorf and causing extensive damage as part of a dispute over food.

Police and prosecutors said Wednesday that one of the two 26-year-olds was seen pouring flammable liquid onto a mattress and setting fire to it, while the other told fellow residents: “We had to do it so that things change.”

An argument over food is believed to have preceded Tuesday’s fire. Muslims who weren’t observing dawn-to-dusk fasting during Ramadan had complained about what they said was a small lunch.

Prosecutor Ralf Herrenbrueck told ZDF television that both suspects have told authorities they are North African.

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