72-year-old suspected: fatal hospital fire in Hamburg!

72-year-old suspected: fatal hospital fire in Hamburg!

Marienkrankenhaus, Hamburg, Deutschland - A tragic fire in the Marienkrankenhaus in Hamburg demanded three lives last Sunday. A 72-year-old patient is suspected of having laid the fire and was still arrested in the clinic. The judge will decide on the custody of the man today. In a particularly emotional incident, patients aged 84, 85 and 87 died. A total of 34 people were injured, one of them is in mortal danger.

The fire broke out on the ground floor of the geriatric station of the hospital on the night of Sunday. According to initial investigations, the authorities assumed that the fire in a room in the station originated. The fire brigade was on site with around 160 emergency services and was able to extinguish the fire after around 20 minutes. The affected parts of the hospital had to be evacuated, while the rescue measures took place in the emergency room and in adjacent facilities.

Investigations and reactions

The police confiscated the fire location and secured traces to clarify the exact circumstances of the crime and the psychological state of the suspect at the time of the crime. The clinic manager emphasized the close cooperation with the law enforcement authorities to clarify the case and to ensure the safety of the patient. Interior Senator Andy Grote called for a quick clarification of the cause of the fire and thanked the emergency services for their brave use.

Archbishop Stefan Heße was shaken and visited the clinic to express his sympathy for the families concerned. Grief over the lost lives throws a shadow on the entire community, especially in a hospital that treats around 93,000 patients annually and is one of the largest denominational hospitals in northern Germany.

fire statistics and safety aspects

The incidents in Hamburg also remember the persistent problem of fires in hospitals and care facilities. According to the fire statistics of the BVFA (Federal Association of Technical Brand Protection e.V.), there were 114 fires in hospitals in Germany in 2024 alone with seven fatalities and 148. These statistics show that unfortunately negligent or intentional arson occurs as the cause.

• 114 fires in hospitals with 7 deaths and 148 injured
• 162 fires in nursing and retirement homes with 27 dead and 355 injured
• 77 fires in dormitories with 4 dead and 207 injured

The statistics underline the need for effective fire protection measures. In Germany in particular, sprinklers are still hardly widespread in many nursing and retirement homes, which can endanger the security situation in these facilities. Efficient fire protection technology could possibly prevent fatal consequences in future cases.

The further development of the investigation and the reaction of society will be decisive for how the trauma of this tragedy is dealt with and what measures are taken to improve security in medical institutions.

For more details, read the reports on t-online , Blick and Feuertrutz .