Large-scale operation by the fire brigade: Burning hedge at the Leopoldina Hospital!

Large-scale operation by the fire brigade: Burning hedge at the Leopoldina Hospital!

On Sunday evening, at 9:45 p.m., there was a violent fire in the technical yard of the Leopoldina Hospital in Schweinfurt, which resulted in extensive deployment of the fire department, rescue services, THW and police. The first alarm due to a large amount of smoke developing outside led the emergency team that arrived to quickly give the all-clear, as ultimately only a hedge on the building was burning. The fire brigade was able to quickly extinguish the fire and the emergency services responded only a short time later, it is reported sw1.news.

However, this was not the first fire incident at this hospital. The fire alarm system had already triggered an operation on Saturday when a trash can caught fire in a toilet. This time too, the fire brigade arrived quickly on the scene and was able to contain the fire without the need for injuries, although the damage caused by soot formation cost several thousand euros. A 54-year-old man was discovered on site and is suspected of setting the fire. He was arrested and now has to answer in criminal proceedings mainfranken.news reported.

Fire risks increase

The incidents at the Leopoldina Hospital are not isolated, but rather fit into a worrying trend that can be observed nationwide. According to the updated fire statistics from the bvfa (Federal Association for Technical Fire Protection), there were 117 fires in German hospitals in 2023, resulting in a total of five deaths and 149 injuries. The number of fires in retirement and nursing homes does not disappoint either, with 126 reported incidents resulting in 22 deaths and 181 injuries. These numbers are impressive and show a doubling compared to 2021, which should raise the alarm among those responsible feuertrutz.de.

Patients and residents are often particularly at risk because their ability to save themselves is significantly limited. A lack of protective measures, such as sprinkler systems, contribute significantly to the high number of victims and is a serious task for the operators of these facilities. In the USA, the introduction of sprinkler systems in retirement homes has reduced the number of deaths by an impressive 82 percent. More attention should also be paid to such prevention techniques in this country.

The current situation and the increasing fire rates clearly show that there is a need for action, both in prevention and in education for all those responsible and employees in these sensitive facilities.