A fire broke out in a clinic in Berlin-Kreuzberg on Monday night, leaving three patients and a nurse seriously injured. Among the patients is a woman who suffered life-threatening injuries as she was stuck in an elevator when the fire started. The incident sent shockwaves across the city, and emergency services worked tirelessly through the night to rescue those in need and extinguish the flames.
Around 40 people were treated on the scene, with some being classified as slightly injured. In several cases, smoke poisoning was reported. Two firefighters were also slightly injured while extinguishing the flames. The fire was reportedly caused by burning hospital beds in the hallway, although it is still unclear how they caught fire. The incident has sparked an investigation into the safety protocols of the clinic.
The fire started at around 11 pm, and emergency services arrived at the scene soon after. Around 100 emergency services personnel were at the scene during the night, and the rescue center was evacuated. The smoke spread across eight floors of the clinic building, and the flames were eventually put out, but the cause of the fire has not been confirmed. A suspicious man was arrested, and the police have not ruled out the possibility of intentional arson.
The Vivantes Klinikum Am Urban, where the fire occurred, is one of the largest clinics in Berlin. It has twelve medical departments, a central emergency room, and 614 beds. Around 65,000 patients are treated annually, and the care of patients is overseen by approximately 300 doctors and 605 nurses.
In a statement, the clinic expressed deep regret for the incident and extended their sympathies to those affected. The statement read, “We deeply regret the incident that occurred at our clinic last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the patients and staff members affected by the fire. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the emergency services personnel who worked tirelessly to rescue those in need and extinguish the flames.”
The incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols of the clinic, and the authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. In a press conference, the authorities stated that they would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire and ensure that such an incident does not occur again in the future. The authorities also emphasized the importance of fire safety in all buildings and the need for caution in situations that could pose a fire hazard.
The incident has sent shockwaves across the city, with many expressing their concern for the well-being of those affected. The mayor of Berlin, Michael Müller, expressed his condolences to those affected and assured the public that the authorities would do everything in their power to ensure that such an incident does not occur again in the future. In a statement, he said, “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the patients and staff members affected by the fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. We will do everything in our power to ensure that such an incident does not occur again in the future.”
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety in all buildings and the need for caution in situations that could pose a fire hazard. It is also a testament to the bravery and dedication of emergency services personnel, who work tirelessly to keep us safe in times of need. The city of Berlin has come together in the aftermath of the incident, with many expressing their gratitude to those who worked tirelessly to rescue those in need and extinguish the flames.