Germany: Fire in hospital – several dead

Four people died in a fire in a hospital in the town of Uelzen in Lower Saxony. 22 other people were injured, six of them seriously, a fire department spokesman said on Friday night. Initially there was talk of a death. N-tv first reported on the three other people who died.

A hospital spokesman said one person is currently missing. Eight patients were seriously injured and 16 others were slightly or moderately injured, it said. “Our condolences and thoughts are with the families of the deceased and the injured patients.”

140 rescue workers on duty

The fire broke out on the third floor of the clinic and spread to several patient rooms. Numerous people were rescued from the hospital, some using ladders. Around 140 rescue workers were on duty, as a spokesman for the fire department said on Friday night. Accordingly, the injured suffered smoke inhalation and burns. The fire had been extinguished.

According to the fire department, the rescue service set up a collection point where the patients were examined. They were then distributed to other wards of the clinic or taken to surrounding hospitals. It was initially not known how many people in total were affected by the fire and its effects.

According to initial estimates, the total damage could be more than one million euros, the police said. The area around the scene of the fire is therefore temporarily unusable. The cause of the fire was initially unclear. The police searched for clues at the scene of the fire.

Four dead after fire in clinic in Uelzen

After the fire at the Helios Clinic in Uelzen, the death toll has increased to four. According to police, numerous people were injured, some of them critically.

The fire broke out on Thursday evening on the third floor of a wing of the building and spread to several patient rooms. There was a lot of smoke. When the rescue workers arrived, cries for help could be heard, the police said. Numerous people had to be rescued, some using ladders.

Four patients die in hospital fire

Three patients died on site, another patient was taken to another hospital and died there, a police spokesman said. He did not give any further details. The police initially reported one death.

Numerous injured, one missing

Numerous people were injured in the fire. They suffered smoke inhalation and burns. The exact number of injured was unclear, the police said on Friday morning. According to the hospital, around two dozen people were injured, several of them seriously to life-threatening. A patient was reported missing by the clinic.

“Tragic and shocking”

The Lower Saxony Ministry of Health described the fire as a “tragic and shocking event”. The police, fire brigade and the clinic employees “prevented even worse things” during the evacuation, said a ministry spokesman on Friday. According to the police, the rapid intervention of the fire department prevented the fire from spreading, but the affected hospital wing is no longer usable.

Hospital in Uelzen announces admission stop

50 patients therefore have to be transferred to other hospitals. According to the Ministry of Health, the transfer to Celle, Gifhorn, Hamburg, Hanover, Lüneburg and Schwerin has begun. According to the clinic, no further patients will be admitted until January 12, 2024. Nobody can currently be treated in the emergency room either.

The cause of the fire is still unclear

A total of around 140 forces were deployed. According to initial estimates, the damage is more than one million euros. The police have started an investigation into the cause of the fire. Investigations are currently underway in all directions.