Three dead and more than 50 injured in Hamburg hospital fire
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A fire started overnight at Marienkrankenhaus, a hospital in Hamburg, killing three patients and injuring many others, authorities confirmed Sunday. The fire started in a geriatric ward on the ground floor. It quickly spread to the upper levels and filled the four-story building with smoke.
Firefighters responded shortly after midnight, rescuing trapped patients from windows using ladders.
Sky News reported firefighters found several patients calling for help from windows, and some people were rescued using ladders.
The BBC reported that fire brigade were unable to reach the three victims during the rescue effort.
More than 50 people were injured, with two in life-threatening condition and 16 suffering serious injuries. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes, but a section of the hospital had to be evacuated.
Hospital staff swiftly provided medical care for the injured in Marienkrankenhaus’s emergency room as the fire raged.
By the time firefighters arrived, flames had already engulfed a ground floor room, threatening to spread to the upper level.
Fire crews deployed turntable and portable ladders to evacuate patients—many of them elderly or with mobility challenges. Others were guided through smoke-filled corridors, wearing fire escape hoods.
According to German news site DW.com, authorities have detained a 72-year-old patient on suspicion of arson. Investigators are examining whether mental illness played a role in the incident.
The suspect is reportedly set to be brought in front of a judge on Monday.
"In the course of collecting witness examination, there were signs that a 72-year-old patient could be a strong suspect of the fire," police said.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License
The main entrance to the Marienkrankenhaus hospital in Hamburg.
Date: 15 March 2016
Author: MarienkrankenhausHH