Camilla Jessen
Three killed and dozens injured as police investigate suspected arson at Marien Hospital.
German authorities have arrested a 72-year-old man in connection with a deadly fire that broke out at Marien Hospital in Hamburg overnight, killing at least three people and injuring more than 30 others.
The man, himself a patient at the hospital, is now considered a prime suspect, according to a police statement cited by DW.
Signs Point to Arson
The fire erupted shortly after midnight in the hospital’s geriatric care unit, located on the ground floor of a building in the Hohenfelde district.
Thick smoke quickly filled the facility, prompting a large-scale emergency response.
Police and fire officials said that while the exact cause is still under investigation, early witness interviews and evidence from the scene suggest that the 72-year-old patient may have started the fire. His mental state is currently being assessed, and he is expected to appear before a judge on Monday.
“During the examination of collective witnesses, there were signs that a 72-year-old patient could be a strong suspect in the fire,” police said.
Three people lost their lives in the fire, while at least 34 others were injured, many of them elderly patients. Some were treated on-site in the hospital’s emergency department, while others were transported to nearby hospitals for further care.
Firefighters described the conditions as severe, with smoke spreading across all floors of the building and complicating rescue efforts.
The fast-moving blaze required extensive evacuation and left parts of the facility damaged.