A 72-year-old hospital patient has been arrested after a fire at the Maria Hospital in the German city of Hamburg. Three people died in the fire on an elderly care ward.
Based on witness statements, the police suspect that the fire was started intentionally. It is still being investigated whether there was psychological duress.
Three men aged 84, 85 and 87 died in the fire on the elderly care ward. Another person is still in critical condition. Furthermore, there are eighteen seriously injured and fifteen slightly injured.
The fire broke out shortly after midnight on Sunday in a room on the ground floor of the hospital. The flames then spread to the first floor. The smoke that arose on the ground floor spread to all floors of the elderly care ward, writes the local broadcaster NDR.
The elderly care ward was completely evacuated and all other hospital activities continued. Some of the injured were treated at the emergency room of the Maria Hospital or transferred to nearby hospitals.
The 72-year-old suspect must appear before a judge on Monday, who will determine whether he will remain in custody longer.