**Tragic Fire Claims Three Lives in Hamburg Hospital’s Elderly Ward**

The incident has left several injured and raised questions about hospital safety protocols.

Three individuals tragically lost their lives following a fire that erupted overnight in an elderly ward at the Marienkrankenhaus in Hamburg. Emergency services received notification of the fire shortly after midnight, but the fire brigade lamented their inability to reach the victims during the operation, which unfolded rapidly.

Approximately 220 emergency personnel were mobilized to manage the emergency situation and provide medical assistance to affected patients. The incident resulted in over 35 injuries, with two individuals requiring transport to a different hospital for severe injuries, one deemed life-threatening. The conditions of 18 others were classified as serious, while another 15 sustained minor injuries.

As firefighters arrived, flames were already visible in a ground floor room, threatening to engulf adjacent areas on the upper floors. Distressing accounts detailed patients signaling from their windows, trapped by the smoke. The Marienkrankenhaus consists of four stories, complicating rescue efforts.

To manage the crisis, fire crews utilized aerial and portable ladders to assist patients, many of whom were elderly and faced mobility challenges. Others were guided through smoke-filled halls with special breathing apparatuses designed for such emergencies.

Thanks to the firefighters' quick action, they managed to contain the blaze, preventing further spread to other hospital rooms. The cause of the fire remains under investigation as health and safety concerns at the facility come to the forefront of public attention.