After the devastating fire at the hospital in Mödling (Lower Austria) on Tuesday evening, which killed three men, the investigation continues. A cigarette was cited as a possible cause of the fire. The debate on strict compliance with the smoking ban in hospitals is now entering a new round.
It has been pointed out in the circles of the State Health Agency (LGA) that precisely such a scenario is the reason why most clinics have long insisted on compliance with the strict smoking ban.
Smoking ban for more than ten years
In the clinics of Lower Austria, a general smoking ban has been in force for more than ten years, with the exception of demarcated smoking areas. Compliance with these regulations must also be strictly monitored. Employees would be specially trained, misconduct – i.e. smoking in areas where it is not allowed – would be penalized. How the patient managed to smoke a cigarette in his room unhindered remains a mystery.
The suspicion about the cause of the fire is confirmed
The cause of Tuesday night’s inferno was likely a cigarette or open flame. A technical cause has already been ruled out by the researchers. The smoldering fire is said to have originated specifically from the bed of a 75-year-old from the Baden district – one of three who died. Police say the man was a heavy smoker.
The determination of the cause was carried out on Tuesday by officials of the Lower Austrian Criminal Investigation Department, Fire and Explosion Crimes Division, together with experts from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department. A report from the state criminal investigation department arrived at the Wiener Neustadt prosecutor’s office on Wednesday. Now we are looking at what further steps are needed.
Normal operation still out of sight
However, there is no question of normal operation in the hospital. According to LGA spokesman Matthias Hofer, this venture is still a long way off. The station where the fire broke out must be completely renovated. Departments on the first and second floors below the seat of the fire – which also include the operating rooms – will be “made usable in the course of this week and next week”.
Source: Krone
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