WIESBADEN, Germany – German police have detained two American soldiers in connection with a fire at a town hall in western Germany that investigators believe was arson, a U.S. military spokesman said Friday.
The soldiers, both assigned to the 1st Armored Division (search), were detained Thursday after the blaze destroyed some of the municipal buildings in Baumholder (search), a town in Rhineland-Palatinate state.
Firefighters from the nearby U.S. post helped local emergency services extinguish the flames, which caused millions of dollars in damage.
The soldiers, whose names and ranks were not disclosed, are suspected of being "involved in breaking and entering and simple arson in connection with the fire," Army spokesman Maj. Michael J. Indovina said in a statement.
Neither of the soldiers have been charged or formally arrested and German police are still investigating the incident.
Indovina said Army criminal investigators were assisting German authorities.
Approximately 13,000 U.S. troops and their families are stationed at H.D. Smith Barracks (search) in Baumholder, a town of 4,800 residents. The 1st Armored Division's 2nd Brigade and Division Artillery are based at the barracks.
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