The fire, which broke out minutes after midday on the second floor of the healthcare facility, originated from the explosion of an oxygen tank when a patient lit a cigarette. This incident caused second and third-degree burns to 40% of the affected patient's body, who was transferred to the Burns Unit at La Fe Hospital in Valencia. Another patient had to be treated in the ICU for smoke inhalation.

The incident prompted a significant deployment of emergency services, including half a dozen fire units from the Torrevieja and Orihuela stations. An Evacuation Plan was activated, leading to the temporary evacuation of the entire second floor of the hospital. In addition to the two seriously injured, about ten hospital staff members were treated for minor smoke inhalation.