Athens hospital fire: Patient confesses to arson, 70 evacuated, one dead
A 76-year-old patient set his mattress ablaze with a lighter at Sismanogleio Hospital early Thursday, forcing the evacuation of 70 people. An 83-year-old woman died of cardiac arrest during the chaos.
The fire and evacuation
At 04:53 on Thursday, a fire broke out in a patient room on the first floor of the Pathology Clinic at Sismanogleio Hospital in Athens. A nurse on duty noticed the flames immediately and entered the room, finding a bed fully engulfed. The fire was contained to the mattress, and no hospital oxygen or flammable materials were involved, according to Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis. Firefighters responded with 28 personnel, 7 vehicles, a crane, and a ladder truck, preventing the fire from spreading. Around 70 patients from the first and second floors were evacuated safely, though many described scenes of panic, with some fleeing while still attached to IV drips.
Suspect confesses to intentional arson
The patient in the room, a 76-year-old man, initially claimed the fire started accidentally from a cigarette. After being located at his home in Nea Filadelfeia and brought in for questioning, he confessed to setting the mattress on fire deliberately with a lighter. He expressed remorse, according to the fire service. Authorities said he will be charged with intentional arson with an open flame, not negligence. His wife has requested a psychiatric evaluation.
Death during evacuation
An 83-year-old woman (some reports say 90) suffered cardiac arrest as she was being moved from her room, four doors away from the fire. Her son told reporters that medical staff had to remove her oxygen to evacuate her, and she collapsed shortly after. He praised the staff's efforts to revive her with CPR, but said the official cause of death will be determined by autopsy. The health minister stated that the woman was in critical condition and her death was not caused by smoke inhalation, but the fire service is investigating any link.
Official response
Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis visited the hospital and commended doctors, nurses, and administration for their swift action.
I want to congratulate the staff of Sismanogleio Hospital, the doctors, the nurses, and the administration, who managed an incident that could have turned into a huge national tragedy.
He noted that the nurse on duty reacted immediately, and all patients were relocated safely.
Investigation ongoing
The Fire Service's Directorate for Combating Arson Crimes is leading the investigation. The suspect is in custody and will appear before a prosecutor. The exact motive remains unclear, with the man reportedly citing feelings of neglect and personal problems.
- Fire starts in a patient room on the first floor of the Pathology Clinic.
- The duty nurse notices flames, enters the room, and finds the bed on fire.
- Around 70 patients are evacuated from the first and second floors as firefighters arrive.
- The 76-year-old patient departs the hospital unnoticed and goes to his home in Nea Filadelfeia.
- Police locate and arrest the suspect at his home after he is found missing during a patient count.
- The man confesses to setting the mattress on fire deliberately with a lighter.
- Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis visits the hospital and praises the staff's response.
