In brief
A tragic fire occurred overnight at a hospital ward for the elderly in Hamburg, resulting in three fatalities. The incident was reported shortly after midnight at Marienkrankenhaus. According to the Hamburg fire brigade, rescue efforts were unable to reach the three victims in time, and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
An impressive response comprising around 220 emergency personnel was deployed to quench the blaze and assist patients. In total, more than 35 individuals sustained injuries, with two requiring transfers to another hospital. One of the latter individuals is reported to be in life-threatening condition, while 18 others have serious injuries and an additional 15 suffered minor wounds. Some patients received initial treatment in the hospital's emergency room.When firefighters arrived, they discovered a ground floor room ablaze, with flames threatening to propagate to the upper levels of the facility. Patients in adjacent rooms alerted rescuers from their windows, expressing their inability to escape due to thick smoke. The hospital spans four stories, complicating the rescue efforts. Emergency crews utilized portable ladders and specialized equipment to evacuate those trapped inside, prioritizing the elderly patients who often faced mobility challenges. Firefighters succeeded in preventing the fire from engulfing more rooms. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
