Death toll rises to four in hospital fire in northern Germany

SThe death toll from the fire that occurred on Thursday night in a hospital in Uelzen, south of Hamburg, in northern Germany, has risen to four.

There are also records of several injuries, a number that has not been disclosed – some in a very serious condition and at risk to their lives, revealed a spokesman for the fire department, this Friday, cited by the BILD newspaper.

The injuries were due to smoke inhalation and burns, according to the German newspaper.

Initially, the emergency services reported the death of only one patient, having later revised the balance upwards.

According to police, three of the victims died at the scene and the fourth after being transferred to another hospital. They were all patients.

“Our condolences and thoughts are with the families of the deceased and the injured patients”, highlights the hospital unit in a statement.

It should be remembered that the fire broke out at 10:45 pm (9:45 pm in Lisbon) yesterday. When the firefighters arrived, the flames were already visible on the third floor of the building, and the fire had spread to the patients’ rooms. It was, during that night, extinguished.

First estimates point to more than one million euros in material damage. The Judiciary Police are now investigating the cause of the fire.

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