A tragic incident occurred at Belfast hospital as a man lost his life in a fire that broke out in the emergency department. The Royal Victoria Hospital faced a fire emergency on Wednesday evening, prompting a swift response from emergency services. The blaze originated in a bathroom, resulting in the deployment of police, ambulance, and fire crews to the scene just before 6.45 pm.
Reports indicated that the man sustained injuries in the restroom fire and was receiving treatment for burns, but unfortunately, he passed away in the hospital. The PSNI confirmed the death of a man in his 30s on Thursday and clarified that it was not deemed suspicious. The incident was described as a sudden death by authorities.
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service dispatched four pumping appliances and approximately 20 personnel to address the situation. The affected area was reported to be smoke-filled, with one individual sustaining injuries. Crews managed the scene until around 9.10 pm when they concluded operations.
Following the incident, the main waiting area and reception of the ED were temporarily closed, redirecting patients to alternate entrances and hospitals. The NI Ambulance Service coordinated patient transfers to other emergency departments while the situation was being resolved.
Local MP Paul Maskey expressed condolences to the deceased man’s family and praised the efforts of the emergency services. He conveyed his shock and sorrow over the tragic loss of life at the Royal Victoria Hospital.