Three Dead, Dozens Injured in Deadly Hospital Fire at Elderly Care Ward in Hamburg

Firefighters at the hospital in Hamburg

Three people have died and more than 35 others sustained injuries after a fire broke out overnight at a hospital ward caring for elderly patients in Hamburg, Germany. The fire, which erupted at the Marienkrankenhaus shortly after midnight, triggered a large-scale emergency response involving approximately 220 firefighters and medical personnel.

Firefighters at the hospital in Hamburg

The Hamburg Fire Brigade reported that the three victims were found dead at the scene after rescue efforts failed to reach them in time. Their identities have not yet been released. Emergency services confirmed that one person is in life-threatening condition and is being treated at another hospital within the city. Eighteen others suffered serious injuries, while 15 sustained minor wounds.

The blaze began in a ground floor room of the hospital and quickly threatened to spread to the floor above. As smoke filled the building, patients trapped in upper rooms signaled for help from their windows, prompting immediate rescue operations. Many of the patients affected were elderly and had limited mobility, complicating evacuation efforts.

The fire at the Marienkrankenhaus in Hamburg was reported shortly after midnight

Firefighters deployed turntable ladders and portable ladders to reach those stuck on the upper floors. Others were led to safety through smoke-filled corridors using fire escape hoods, a breathing apparatus designed to protect individuals in hazardous environments. Some injured patients were treated in the hospital’s emergency department by on-site medical staff.

Despite the challenging conditions, emergency teams successfully contained the flames before they could spread further within the facility. The fire brigade praised the swift coordination of firefighters and hospital staff in minimizing further loss of life.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.