[Disaster planning--lessons learned from the fire disaster in Gothenburg].

The tragic fire disaster in Sweden 1998, killing 63 and wounding 213 teenagers was the result of arson fire in the basement of an overcrowded discotheque. Since the disaster occurred in a major city with substantial resources, all the injured could be hospitalised within two hours. The load on four local hospitals was initially severe due to the large number of injured. The patients suffered from inhalation injuries of different severity, whereas 25 of them also had deep skin burn injuries. Thirteen of the most severe burn injuries were transported to burn units in other parts of Sweden and to Norway. The vast psychosocial rehabilitation program initiated by health care staff, religious communions, schools and the community, has continued over the past years. This fire disaster emphasises the need for extensive preparation not only in the rescue and medical services, but also in many other areas of society.