Fire tragedy in room 12 of the interior ward in Klinikum Mödling (Lower Austria)! Three patients between 75 and 81 years died. According to the police, the fire was probably started by a cigarette. A rescued patient described the dramatic moments to the “Krone”.
Dramatic scenes took place on Tuesday evening after a fire alarm at Mödling state hospital. In room 12 of the “internal” a true inferno broke out within seconds for unclear reasons and spread throughout the department.
Roommate survived because he walked down the hall
Sad fact: three male patients could not escape the flames of hell and died. The fourth housemate survived because he walked down the hallway.
All the helpers collapsed
At the risk of their lives, the hospital staff and the fire brigade brought 20 people to safety. According to the clinic’s management, all helpers jumped in and were even able to evacuate some of the bedridden people in no time.
“It was pure hell!”
The shock of the affected patients is, of course, deep: “I smelled the smoke, and when we stormed into the corridor, the nurses first shouted to us that we should definitely stay in the rooms. The fear was of course enormous, it was pure hell! ” says Eva R. (69) from Ebergassing.
For cheerful retiree Margarete K., 77, the mission was just a side note: “I did notice smoke smell, but what should I do, I can’t get it out.” Fortunately, the woman from Mödling can go back to the hospital on Wednesday. Only one person was slightly injured during the rescue operation, two Florianis had to be treated with suspected smoke inhalation.
Cigarette as cause of fire?
Only two hours after the first report, calm gradually returned to the hospital and the fire investigators of the responsible state criminal investigation department started their work. The detectives would assume a cigarette, said police spokesman Stefan Loidl on Tuesday evening. “No technical fire development has been observed”. The smoldering fire is supposed to come from the bed of a 75-year-old from Baden. The man was a heavy smoker. The window in the room was tilted for ventilation. According to the police, in addition to the 75-year-old, a 78-year-old from the Mödling district and an 81-year-old from the Bruck/Leitha district also died.
The public pressure is enormous
In any case, the public pressure is enormous, after all, the governor of the state Johanna Mikl-Leitner also demands a full clarification of the cause: “Last night’s events are shocking. Our thoughts are with the victims and families. But now it comes down to it to make it completely clear how the accident could have happened.”
In any case, the hospital in Mödling will continue with restrictions. The aim is to make the affected operating rooms usable again as soon as possible.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
