Image: MATTHIAS STUR (APA/MATTHIAS STUR)
The flames erupted in a room on the third floor. For three men in the room, any help came too late, said Matthias Hofer, spokesman for the Lower Austrian State Health Agency (LGA), to the APA.
20 people were slightly injured, around 90 patients had to be transferred. The State Criminal Police Office has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
The alarm went off shortly before 1:00 a.m., and a broadcast from the LGA reported that the fire was “rapidly developing”. The entire internal medicine ward was filled with smoke. Ten fire brigades were deployed with 173 members and 33 vehicles, and the operational FF of the state hospital was also involved in the extinguishing work. “Brand aus” was given just before 3:00 a.m.
A Red Cross crisis intervention team was on site. The deceased are patients, the police and the LGA said. According to the executive, a 78-year-old and an 81-year-old died. There was initially no information on the third fatality on Tuesday morning. “Thanks to the good cooperation, it was possible to save 20 people from the affected station,” said Hofer. Those affected were exposed to the smoke and are believed to have minor injuries.
Cause of fire unknown at this time
A total of around 90 patients were evacuated. According to Hofer, part of it was transported to the Baden State Clinic, the others were transferred to the hospital in Mödling. The Red Cross deployed 16 rescue vehicles, six emergency medical vehicles, a helicopter and a four-person crisis intervention team.
The affected station has been blocked. The cause of the fire was initially unknown. The State Criminal Police Office has taken over the investigation, the police said on request.
Source: Nachrichten
