Overview

• On June 23 a 34-year-old inpatient allegedly ignited his mattress with a concealed lighter in the seventh-floor psychiatric ward.
• A female patient succumbed to smoke inhalation and eight healthcare workers received treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
• The patient, who had prior domestic violence convictions and was hospitalized by court order, was arrested on homicide and arson charges.
• Hospital emergency procedures moved around 80 patients to other units within La Fe and to neighboring facilities, including the Hospital Clínico Universitario.
• Authorities are probing whether the blaze was triggered by a stalking complaint filed against the suspect by his ex-wife.