Hospital fire in northern Germany kills two
A deadly fire broke out at a hospital in northern Germany early Thursday, killing two patients and triggering a large-scale emergency evacuation.
The blaze erupted at the **Helene von Bülow Klinik (Helene von Bülow Clinic)** in the town of **Ludwigslust**, located in the state of **Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania)**. Initial reports indicate the fire started in a patient’s room before spreading rapidly toward the roof structure of the building.
According to local authorities, both victims were patients receiving treatment at the hospital. Emergency responders rushed to the scene as smoke spread through the facility, forcing medical staff to evacuate patients and workers as quickly as possible.
Several people were initially reported injured, leading to fears of a much higher casualty count. However, officials later clarified that most people examined at the scene were unharmed or suffered only minor effects such as smoke inhalation, with no widespread serious injuries reported.
The hospital, which has around 160 beds and serves as the town’s primary medical facility, saw major disruption as fire crews, police, and rescue teams worked for hours to control the blaze. Traffic around the hospital was heavily affected due to the large emergency response.
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the fire, and an investigation is now underway. The incident has shocked residents of Ludwigslust, as Germany once again faces questions about fire safety in critical public facilities.