The fire reported at midday today in the laundry area of the Hospital Virgen de la Montaña de Cáceres forced outpatient consultation areas to close due to the smoke that extended through the area, and two patients that were in operating rooms have been evacuated and sent to the Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara in Cáceres.
The firemen, who suspect a possible short circuit in one of the washing machines as a possible cause, quickly extinguished the fire yet three people have suffered intoxication from smoke inhalation. As a preventative measure, activity in the hospital's five operating rooms has been suspended and the emergency room service has been closed, with Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara serving as backup.