|
 SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - A pre-dawn fire swept the top three floors of a hospital in Costa Rica's capital Tuesday, killing at least 18 people as it engulfed the central staircase of a building without adequate fire exits or a sprinkler system.
Medical personnel smashed their way through windows as they tried to help patients escape, while some of the sick fled on their own. People could be seen on live television climbing onto ledges of the five-story building or tying bed sheets to window frames to lower themselves to safety.
One of the victims was identified as nurse Patricia Fallas, 42, who was helping patients evacuate the fifth floor when she died of smoke inhalation. She was holding a lit flashlight when her body was found, Fire Chief Hector Chavez said.
|