A patient at Soroka Medical Center in the southern Israeli city of Be’er Sheva died in a fire that broke out in one of the hospital’s wards early Wednesday morning. Two others are in moderate condition after sustaining injuries from smoke inhalation. A total of 25 patients, as well as medical personnel and one visiting family, were evacuated from the ward.
The fire started in a hospital wing housing dozens of patients, who were evacuated by firefighters, the Israel Fire and Rescue Services stated.
The fire was started by a mattress that caught fire, according to preliminary findings.