Three people died after a fire broke out overnight in a hospital ward in a caregiver in Hamburg.
Fire brigades in the city of Northern Germany said they could not reach the three casualties during rescue operations. They died on the scene.
The fire at Marienkrankenhaus was reported shortly after midnight.
Approximately 220 emergency workers were dispatched to tackle the flames and treat patients. More than 35 people were injured.
The two were taken to another hospital in the city for treatment. One person is suffering from life-threatening injuries, the firefighters said.
They added that 18 other people were seriously injured and another 15 were minor injuries.
Some of the injured were treated in the Marien Clanken House emergency room by hospital staff.
When the first firefighters arrived, the hospital’s first floor room had already flammed up, threatening that the fire would spread to the room above.
A patient from another room came to the window and told the firefighters they couldn’t get out due to the smoke. The building has four stories.
Firefighters said they used turntables and portable ladders to rescue the patient.
Other patients were assisted through the corridor with the help of a fire escape hood, a breathing device used by the fire brigade in a smoke-filled environment.
Firefighters were able to stop the flames spreading to other rooms in the hospital. The cause of the fire is not yet known.
