Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, January 3, 1995                   TAG: 9501040044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: PETERSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

CAUSE OF HOSPITAL FIRE IN PETERSBURG ELUSIVE

City Fire Marshal Rufus Atkins said it is apparent that the fire began in room 418 of the Southside Regional Medical Center on Saturday night and quickly became very intense, but it was too early to say how it got started.

Four people who suffered smoke inhalation remained hospitalized Monday. Two were reported in stable condition in rooms on regular floors unharmed by the fire, said hospital spokeswoman Terry Tysinger.

Two patients transferred to the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond remained in critical but stable condition, said Lee Higginbotham, a nursing supervisor at MCV.

Atkins said he would have to conduct a number of interviews with hospital workers, firefighters and survivors.

The blaze around 9 p.m. Saturday quickly spread through several rooms on the fourth floor. The hospital evacuated 14 people from the semiprivate rooms on the south wing, four of whom died.

Two Petersburg firefighters who were overcome by toxic fumes were treated at MCV and released.