Greek Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis visited the Sismanoglou Hospital in Marousi following a fire that broke out in the early hours of the morning — around 5 a.m. Speaking to journalists on site, he confirmed the blaze originated inside a patient room.
Fire Started in a Patient’s Mattress
According to Georgiadis, the fire began when a mattress caught fire. He stated plainly: ‘Someone set a mattress on fire.’ The patient who had been occupying the bed had already left the hospital earlier; police later located him at his home. The minister added that, based on preliminary information from authorities, the man claimed he’d had a dream in which his mattress caught fire.
Staff responded swiftly: nurses noticed the flames immediately and evacuated all patients in an orderly manner. Windows were broken to clear smoke. Georgiadis emphasized there was no oxygen equipment or other flammable materials present in the room at the time.
No Casualties Linked Directly to the Fire
The minister clarified reports of a woman suffering cardiac arrest due to the fire. He explained that a 90-year-old female patient — already in critical condition — was the first person evacuated. Though she was safely removed from the area, she later suffered cardiac arrest and passed away. Her death was not directly caused by smoke inhalation or the fire itself, but by her pre-existing medical condition.
One Clinic Destroyed, No Lives Lost
Georgiadis described the incident as ‘unprecedented’ and said one clinic was completely destroyed. He characterized the fire as stemming from a sudden, criminal act — though the investigation is still ongoing. Fortunately, fire suppression systems activated immediately, preventing the blaze from spreading further. ‘The fire had grown large — it could have consumed half the hospital,’ he warned, adding that human lives were genuinely at risk.
Emergency response was rapid: 28 firefighters arrived with seven vehicles, including a specialized aerial ladder truck and a bracing vehicle, successfully containing the fire quickly. Medical staff evacuated all patients without incident. Two individuals were transferred to another hospital as a precaution due to respiratory discomfort, but no serious injuries were reported.