Fire at University Hospital in Košice: A Compelling Story

On the early morning of March 7th, a fire broke out on the fourth floor of the University Hospital L. Pasteur in Košice, Slovakia, located on Trieda SNP. The fire primarily affected the male ward of the psychiatric clinic, but the smoke spread to higher floors, reaching up to the seventeenth floor.

Identification and Arrest of the Arsonist

Within hours, the authorities identified the arsonist as Jaroslav H. (16), a resident of the village of Čaňa in the Košice-okolie district. He was apprehended at the Košice railway station shortly after. Jaroslav was charged with the serious crime of endangering the public, and upon the prosecution’s request, the Košice City Court remanded him into custody.

The City Court found him guilty in September, but following an appeal by his defense counsel, the case was reviewed by the regional court on Tuesday. The initial verdict was slightly modified by the higher court.

Evacuation and Damage Assessment

The hospital staff initiated the evacuation of patients once the fire started, and emergency services including firefighters and police quickly joined in the efforts. Patients were relocated to the emergency department, provided with warm beverages and blankets, and evacuated via the stairs due to the shutdown of elevators.

Of the 766 individuals in the building, 404 were successfully evacuated. The preliminary damage assessment estimated at €100,000 eventually escalated to nearly half a million euros.

Investigation and Arrest

Investigators immediately explored both technical and human causes of the fire. Testimonies from witnesses, as well as surveillance footage from the ward corridor, confirmed that Jaroslav, who had been hospitalized in the psychiatric unit approximately an hour before midnight, ignited the fire.

Conclusion

The incident at the University Hospital in Košice serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of arson and the importance of swift emergency responses. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of the fire, while the legal proceedings against the perpetrator continue to unfold.

FAQ

What was the initial cause of the fire?

The fire at the University Hospital in Košice was determined to be an act of arson committed by a 16-year-old individual.

How many individuals were evacuated during the incident?

Out of the 766 people in the building, 404 individuals were successfully evacuated following the fire.

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