A tragic incident unfolded at Belfast hospital as a man passed away following a fire in the emergency department. The Royal Victoria Hospital faced a fire emergency on Wednesday evening originating from a bathroom. Emergency responders swiftly arrived at the scene before 6.45pm to address the fire in the accident and emergency unit, where a man sustained burns and later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities confirmed the death of a man in his 30s on Thursday, clarifying that the incident was not suspicious. The involvement of police, fire crews, and ambulance services was crucial in managing the situation. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service deployed significant resources, including four pumping appliances and approximately 20 personnel to handle the emergency.

The incident led to the closure of the hospital’s main waiting area and reception, rerouting patients through a side entrance and redirecting some ambulances to other city hospitals temporarily. The community expressed deep condolences, with local MP Paul Maskey extending sympathies to the victim’s family and acknowledging the efforts of the emergency services involved in the response.