Lower Saxony
Four dead after fire in hospital in Uelzen
Damage caused by the fire can be seen at the hospital in Uelzen. The fire broke out on the third floor of the clinic late Thursday evening
© Philipp Schulze / DPA
A fire in a clinic in Uelzen has cost several people their lives. There are still many questions unanswered.
After the fire in a hospital in the Lower Saxony town of Uelzen late on Thursday evening, the number of deaths increased to four. A police spokesman announced this on Friday. Three people died on site, another person was taken to another hospital and died there. The four dead were patients – the spokesman did not want to provide any information about their gender. It was initially unclear how many people were injured in the fire. There is a double-digit number of injured, said the police spokesman.
Fire in Uelzen: 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, according to a spokesman Fire department said on Friday night. Accordingly, the injured suffered smoke inhalation and burns. The fire had been extinguished.
The hospital company expressed its deep dismay at the serious fire. “Our condolences and thoughts are with the families of the deceased and the injured patients,” it said.
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.
The hospital cannot accept any patients for the time being
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 seized the scene of the fire and searched for clues. “We are initially investigating in all directions,” said the police spokesman.
The hospital announced that due to the fire at the Helios Clinic in Uelzen, no patients could be admitted until Friday, January 12, 2024. “We will inform affected patients and – where possible – discuss alternative appointments,” it said. Nobody can currently be treated in the emergency room either. “We ask that you switch to other hospitals.”
Note: This article has been updated.