BERLIN — German police say a 52-year-old man suspected of killing a woman may have narrowly escaped capture by smashing a train window and fleeing before officers arrived.

The news agency dpa reported Friday that the suspect, identified as Frank Naass, is wanted over the fatal attack on a 44-year-old woman Thursday in the central city of Goettingen. The Bild tabloid reported that after stabbing the woman, Naass beat her with a fire extinguisher, poured gasoline over her and set her on fire. He is also suspected of attacking a 57-year-old woman, who suffered life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses alerted police early Friday after recognizing the man on a train to Hannover based on photos released by authorities.

Goettingen police say a large-scale manhunt is underway around the town of Elze, south of Hannover.

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