Five dead in Uelzen

Patient probably caused fire in hospital

The fatal fire in the hospital in Uelzen (Lower Saxony, Germany) was probably caused by a mentally ill patient. This was announced by the public prosecutor's office in Lüneburg on Friday. Five patients died in the fire on the night of January 4-5.

They were three men aged between 55 and 67 and two women aged 87 and 94. More than 20 other people suffered minor to serious injuries (see video above). The patient who may have set the fire is one of the five people who died in the flames. The suspect can therefore no longer be investigated. However, according to the public prosecutor's office, an investigation for involuntary manslaughter is still underway - against persons unknown.

Too little fire protection?
There are also suspicions that the fire protection measures were inadequate. On Thursday, documents in the hospital were seized and data secured, it was reported. Those responsible and employees of the hospital have cooperated with the public prosecutor's office.

No further information was initially provided. As reported, an expert opinion was to provide information on the cause of the fire, and witnesses were also questioned. The fire broke out on the third floor of one wing of the building. Patients were transferred to nearby hospitals and the emergency department was closed until 12 January.