Patients evacuate Brazil hospital during fire, 1 person dead

RIO DE JANEIRO – A deadly fire broke out at a Rio de Janeiro hospital Thursday night, forcing staff to hastily evacuate patients and temporarily settle some on sheets and mattresses in the street while firefighters battled the blaze.

Fire officials said the fire was under control at Badim Hospital but one person had died.

Staffers in surgical masks wheeled medical equipment in the road as smoke billowed from the building.

Television images showed medical workers tending to some patients sitting in wheelchairs with IV poles beside them in the street. Elderly and intensive care patients were among those rescued.

Many patients were transferred to other medical facilities, some accompanied by anxious family members.

Authorities said there were investigating the cause..