Istanbul - Eight patients in the intensive care unit of a hospital in north-western Turkey were killed in a fire, while several other patients suffered smoke inhalation injuries, officials said Tuesday.

The fire which struck early Tuesday in the hospital in the city of Bursa was quickly extinguished. Initial investigations pointed to defective medical equipment as the cause of the fire.

Health Minister Recep Akdag praised hospital staff personnel for risking their own lives in helping to evacuate the building.

It was not immediately clear how the eight patients in the intensive care unit died - whether through smoke inhalation or because their life-support equipment broke down in the blaze. (dpa)