After the fire at the Helios Clinic in Uelzen, the death toll increased to four. According to police, numerous people were injured, some of them seriously.
The fire started on Thursday night on the third floor of a wing of the building and spread to several patient rooms. There was a lot of smoke. When rescuers arrived, cries for help could be heard, police said. Many people had to be rescued, some using ladders.
Four patients die in hospital fire
Three patients died at the scene, another patient was taken to another hospital and died there, a police spokesman said. He did not give further details. Police initially reported one death.
Numerous injured
Several people were injured in the fire. They suffered smoke inhalation and burns. The exact number of injuries was unclear, police said Friday morning. According to the hospital, around two dozen people were injured, several of whose lives were seriously threatened. In the meantime, one person was reported missing by the clinic. It was probably an internal error at the clinic.
“Tragic and shocking”
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Health described the fire as a “tragic and shocking event”. Police, firefighters and clinic staff “prevented even worse things” during the evacuation, a ministry spokesman said on Friday. According to the police, the quick intervention of firefighters prevented the fire from spreading, but the affected hospital wing is no longer usable.
The fire started on the third floor of a wing of the building. According to police, the rooms were very smoky.
Hospital in Uelzen announces suspension of admissions
Therefore, 50 patients had to be transferred to other hospitals. According to the Ministry of Health, the transfer to Celle, Gifhorn, Hamburg, Hannover, Lüneburg and Schwerin has already started. According to the clinic, no more patients will be admitted until January 12, 2024. Currently, no one can be treated in the emergency room either.
The cause of the fire is still unclear
A total of around 140 forces were mobilized. According to initial estimates, the damage amounts to more than one million euros. Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire. Investigations are ongoing in all directions.
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Current | 05/01/2024 | 11:30 am
