Two people were injured in a fire at the Harzklinikum clinic in Blankenburg. A patient set a mattress alight in the psychiatry ward. Emergency crews evacuated 80 patients to safety.
The patient believed responsible for the fire suffered severe cut injuries. One injured person jumped from a window. Twenty-five people, including staff members, suffered smoke inhalation and received treatment at clinics in Wernigerode and Quedlinburg.
Two rescue helicopters supported the response. In total, 200 personnel from fire services, ambulance crews and police attended the scene. Christian Algermissen, chief physician for psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatics, said: “All affected individuals are receiving comprehensive medical care and close monitoring.”
Police have opened an investigation into the cause of the fire but have not released further details.
