Patients, doctors have close shave in blaze at Delhi's AIIMS
TNN | Updated: Mar 25, 2019, 05:24 IST
Witnesses said they saw smoke coming out of the windows on multiple floors and raised an alarmNEW DELHI: Patients, doctors and staff at AIIMS Trauma Centre had a narrow escape after a fire broke out in the basement on Sunday evening. No injuries were reported as the hospital was evacuated in time.
Chief fire officer Atul Garg said the department was alerted about the incident at 6.12pm and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Later, 21 more fire tenders were pressed into service. “It was a medium category fire that started near an operation theatre located in the basement. There was no patient or doctor there at the time,” he added.
Witnesses said they saw smoke coming out of the windows on multiple floors and raised an alarm. Apart from firefighters, the local police also reached the spot for the rescue operation. The patients on the ground and first floors were evacuated due to the smoke and heat.
A hospital official, who in the basement when the fire started, said on the condition of anonymity that the blaze spread quickly because of the mattresses and bed linen present there. There was a leak in the oxygen pipe as well, which was fixed to avert a bigger mishap, said a fire official.
The fire was brought under control around 7.30pm and cooling operations were initiated. Those in distress were medically examined and provided treatment. The cause of fire has not been determined, but officials suspect it to be an electrical short circuit. An inquiry is being conducted in this regard. An FIR has been registered for investigation. Police said they will question the administrative officer and the security in-charge.
The fire department will also check if safety measures were in place and the employees had been provided evacuation and other training. A report will be submitted to police and the hospital management.
“The employees showed immense patience and sense of duty and ensured that the patients were safely escorted out. There was some panic in the beginning, but the situation was in control all throughout,” a doctor said.
Chief fire officer Atul Garg said the department was alerted about the incident at 6.12pm and five fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Later, 21 more fire tenders were pressed into service. “It was a medium category fire that started near an operation theatre located in the basement. There was no patient or doctor there at the time,” he added.
Witnesses said they saw smoke coming out of the windows on multiple floors and raised an alarm. Apart from firefighters, the local police also reached the spot for the rescue operation. The patients on the ground and first floors were evacuated due to the smoke and heat.
A hospital official, who in the basement when the fire started, said on the condition of anonymity that the blaze spread quickly because of the mattresses and bed linen present there. There was a leak in the oxygen pipe as well, which was fixed to avert a bigger mishap, said a fire official.
The fire was brought under control around 7.30pm and cooling operations were initiated. Those in distress were medically examined and provided treatment. The cause of fire has not been determined, but officials suspect it to be an electrical short circuit. An inquiry is being conducted in this regard. An FIR has been registered for investigation. Police said they will question the administrative officer and the security in-charge.
The fire department will also check if safety measures were in place and the employees had been provided evacuation and other training. A report will be submitted to police and the hospital management.
“The employees showed immense patience and sense of duty and ensured that the patients were safely escorted out. There was some panic in the beginning, but the situation was in control all throughout,” a doctor said.
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE