The opening of Munich's world-famous Oktoberfest has been delayed today following a bomb threat and an explosion at a home in the city.

The bomb threat to the popular beer festival was received in the form of a letter from a suspect who police have linked to a fire at a house in the north of the city.

When authorities searched the property, they found it was rigged with explosives.

Police have urged people to leave the Oktoberfest area while they sweep the fairgrounds for explosive devices.

Image: The empty fairgrounds of Oktoberfest. Pic: AP

Image: Officers searched the area for explosives. Pic: AP

Image: Police stand guard at an entrance to the beer festival. Pic: AP

It comes after officers were called to a fire at a home in the Lerchenau area at around 4.40am.

In an update

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