Tragic incident: Fire in hospital claims lives of three senior patients, aged 84 to 87. - Tragic Incident: Elderly Patients, Aged 84 to 87, Perish in Hospital Fire
Title: Arson at St. Mary's Hospital Hamburg: Undercover and Aftermath
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Lights flashing, sirens blaring - firefighters rushed to the St. Mary's Hospital in Hamburg, only to be met with a horrific scene. "The cries for help echoed from the windows," says firefighter spokesman Lorenz Hartmann.
A fire ignited in a geriatric ward's room, spewing flames from a ground-floor window and scorching the facade above. The windows above also shattered, and smoke invaded the neurological ward. Ultimately, three patients - men aged 84, 85, and 87 - perished. Another patient was severely injured. In total, 34 people were wounded.
Fighting Smoke to Save Lives
Rescuing the trapped elderly patients was no easy task. Those in wheelchairs needed to be escorted through the smoky corridors while donning smoke hoods. Meanwhile, patients with some mobility were evacuated via an aerial ladder or portable ladders.
A survivor shared their account with the Hamburg Evening Post, noting that they were taken to the emergency room and that those who could walk did so, while the others were pushed. The evacuation proceeded rather quickly and efficiently.
Blinded by the Smoke
A police officer on the scene reported that the thick smoke and steam made it impossible for firefighters to see inside the hospital. Corridors were so smoky that rescuers initially had to leave some patients in their rooms due to the risk of smoke inhalation in the corridors.
The fire department was alerted at around 00:23. When the first responders arrived, they immediately requested reinforcements. In total, four fire engines with 160 firefighters were deployed. Other support organizations were also present, bringing the total personnel on site to 220. The fire was extinguished within about 20 minutes, Hartmann reported.
Ground-floor Fire, Hard-to-reach Victims
Although the fire was on the ground floor, firefighters had difficulty reaching those seeking help from the outside. A ditch in front of the building's basement forced firefighters in full protective gear to climb about 2.50 meters up to a window. The windows, made of plastic, were melted at both the affected and the adjacent rooms.
Rescuers left a charred trail leading to the top floor. After the fire was extinguished, the police reported that firefighters were checking for any remaining toxic gases in the affected rooms. Investigators from the state criminal police were also present on the scene.
Investigation and Arrest
With the conclusion of the rescue operation, firefighters themselves required assistance. A crisis intervention team was caring for those affected, according to Hartmann. Meanwhile, a 72-year-old hospital patient was arrested on suspicion of arson. Evidence pointed towards him as the prime suspect, the police reported.
St. Mary's Hospital: A Medical History
The Catholic St. Mary's Hospital is a significant medical institution in the Hamburg district of Hohenfelde. It features approximately 600 beds and treats around 93,000 patients yearly. Most of the injured were taken to the hospital's own central emergency room - only two were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department.
Update: Further details can be found in this updated article.
- Arson
- Hamburg St. Mary's Hospital Fire
- Elderly Casualties
- Firefighting
- Crisis Intervention
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