Fire breaks out in Amritsar hospital, 600 rescued

AMRITSAR: A major tragedy was averted on Saturday afternoon at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here after a massive fire in two wards and the outpatient department (OPD). The staff and the attendants scrambled to save the patients. There was no loss of life or serious injury.
The fire started after multiple explosions in the two transformers fitted near the X-ray department and spread to the nearby multi-floor wards of the skin and cardiology patients, besides the OPD. More than 600 patients were in its range. Because of thick smoke and raging flames, the rescuers avoided the staircase and smashed the windowpanes to make an escape route. Fire tenders, later, brought blaze under control.
Government Medical College principal Dr Rajiv Devgun confirmed there had been blasts in the two transformers. He said: “Everyone is safe, while the hospital management had a meeting with the electricity department for the restoration of the power supply.” Sources said the leakage of inflammable transformer oil could have started this fire.
Power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO visited the site, met the rescued patients, ordered an inquiry, and announced to install a substation at the hospital. Patient Rattan Singh, who was among those shifted out, said: “I heard four blasts and then the room filled with smoke. A few youths carried me to the open ground.”