23 dead in neurological hospital fire in central Russia

At least 23 people have been killed and about two dozen injured in a fire at a neurological hospital in Russia’s central Voronezh region. Authorities scour the rubble of the wooden structure which was destroyed by the blaze.

Some 70 patients were inside the building, along with at least four medical personnel, when the fire started. At least 29 of the patients were reportedly bedridden or with limited mobility.

Only 57 people have been evacuated from the burning building, according to emergency services working at the scene. Over 20 of them have been hospitalized after suffering injuries. Two of the wounded succumbed to their injuries en route to hospital, an emergency services source told RIA.

The authorities continue working at the scene. The roof of the single-story unit collapsed when the fire consumed all 600 square meters of the building.

The neurological hospital is located in the village of Alferovka, which is home to just over 700 people. The hospital consists of two structures and is situated some 230 km away from Voronezh, a city of just under a million inhabitants.

At the time of the tragedy it accommodated for the needs of 140 patients, at least 50 of whom were confined to their beds, RIA reported siting the facility’s staff. Those who suffered no injuries were temporarily transferred to the second unit which had not been damaged by the fire.

Authorities believe that a wiring malfunction in the hospital’s electrical system might be the cause of the tragedy.

A team of experts are conducting an investigation on site, rescue services told Interfax. Authorities may press charges once the reason behind the fire has been established.

Such tragedies are not uncommon in Russia, with dozens of deadly fires at medical facilities and care homes having claimed hundreds of lives over the last decade.