Viernheim, Germany  - A series of explosions shook residents in the neighbouring German towns of Viernheim and Weinheim on Wednesday morning.

In Viernheim, 70 kilometres south of Frankfurt, a man caused several explosions in a family home. The resident couple and their two children were all able to escape with slight injuries, police said.

The alleged perpetrator fled into a nearby building where he lived, wearing camouflage gear and a gas mask. He was in contact with police, who had surrounded his apartment above a small supermarket.

Baden-Wuerttemberg police said the event was connected to an earlier explosion in Weinheim. Police in neighbouring Hesse, where Viernheim is located, disagreed.

Local FFH radio station reported that a row over rental property had triggered the events in Viernheim, and said the earlier explosion in Weinheim had been a test run.

The police would not confirm possible reasons for the attack, and said political motives could not be ruled out. (dpa)