Investigators say German forest fire was caused by 'external factors'

Investigators in western Germany believe the devastating Hürtgen Forest fire in August was probably caused by "external factors," though they cannot be sure whether it was started negligently or intentionally.

The Aachen Public Prosecutor's Office told dpa on Saturday that no suspects have yet been identified, and that the case will continue to be investigated against unknown perpetrators.

The fire, which broke out on August 13, is believed to be the largest forest fire in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany's most populous state, for decades. Prosecutors believe it originated at two separate locations. "There is a temporal and geographical link between the two fires," the public prosecutor's office stated, without providing further details.

The area was the scene of fierce fighting between US and German forces from September 1944 to April 1945, but the possibility that the fire was caused by World War II munitions has been ruled out.  

The possibility that it was caused by objects thrown from motor vehicles has also been eliminated. Otherwise, as things stand, all other causes remain under consideration. 

The terrain is extremely steep and is not bordered by any paths or roads, the public prosecutor's office added. A total of 177 tips have been received, none of which has led to an investigative lead of any significance. 

An analysis of mobile phone cell data has been completed, which prosecutors said had also "not yielded any findings relevant to the investigation."