PGI fire incident update: No casualties; short circuit suspected as cause of fire at C block of Nehru Hospital
Chandigarh, October 10: A massive fire broke out in the computer room of the C-block of Nehru Hospital at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh late Monday evening. Fortunately, due to swift action and coordination, no casualties were reported, and all patients were safely evacuated.
The fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit in the computer room, started around 11:45 pm on Monday. The C block of Nehru Hospital at PGI, Chandigarh, houses vital medical units, including a dialysis unit, adult kidney Unit, renal transplant unit, female medical ward, male medical ward, gynae, maternity, nursery and neonatal ICU, bone marrow transplant and operation theatres, all of which operate around the clock throughout the year.
As soon as the fire was noticed, Security officers, fire officers and staff members, including faculty, residents, staff nurses, and subordinate staff of PGI, swung into action to rescue and relocate patients to safer areas.
Professor Vivek Lal, Director of PGI, Chandigarh, along with senior faculty members, Medical Superintendent, and administrative officers also arrived at the scene. The fire and engineering wings of PGIMER immediately swung into action to provide the necessary care and support for patient care.
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The UT administration and UT fire department also arrived at the scene to contribute to the swift and safe evacuation of patients and their attendants. Smoke and heat spread to the corridors, leading to the relocation of patients from adjoining areas, including the Advanced Urology Centre and Male Surgical Ward, to safer locations to prevent suffocation.
As per information, a total of 424 patients were evacuated. This included adults: 351, ICU patients: 34, Pregnant women: 80; babies: 56 and paediatric patients: 17.
These patients were relocated to two different areas within Nehru Hospital and Nehru Hospital Extension Block.
As per a statement by the hospital authorities, within 60 minutes of the incident, all evacuation efforts were successfully completed, and no lives were lost among patients or staff members. By approximately 2: am, all patient care services were substantially restored, the statement added.
Meanwhile, a 14-member committee, led by Dean (Academic) Prof Naresh Panda, has been formed to determine the exact cause of the fire and develop an action plan to prevent such incidents in the future.
- With inputs from our correspondent
