BURAIDAH: A devastating fire that tore through a psychiatric hospital in Buraidah killed six people and injured two early Thursday morning.

Three patients and three nurses died in the blaze. The injured are being treated at the intensive care unit at King Fahd Specialist Hospital, spokesman for Qassim Civil Defense Ibrahim Abalkhail told Arab News.

“It was a horrific scene with blackened chairs and tables burned down to the metal frames and doors,” he added.

He said the fire broke out in Ward 1 of the hospital as patients were sleeping. Civil Defense forces, including five fire squads and another five fire rescue groups rushed to the scene at 5:46 a.m. to put out the blaze. Other organizations involved in the rescue operation included the Saudi Red Crescent, Saudi Electricity Company, Ministry of Health and police forces.

Qassim health authorities said in a statement that 88 people were evacuated from the hospital. However, they are looking for one patient, who may have fled the scene.

The cause of the fire is being investigated. Special committees have been formed to help authorities carry out investigations, a Health Ministry statement said.