Lucknow, Dec 04: A fire broke out in the emergency ward of Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Science (SGPGI) on Thursday afternoon.
With the fire brigade rushing to the scene within minutes and prompt action taken by the SGPGI staff, all patients were safely shifted to other wards with no loss of life. Two firemen, however, fainted after inhaling smoke and had to be hospitalised. Both recovered and would be released soon.
“The fire broke out around 1.30 pm in the storeroom where medicines were kept. The room was locked at the time. The apparent reason seems to be a short circuit but I have formed a four-member fact-finding committee which will submit its report within 24 hours,” said Chief Medical Superintendent Dr A K Bhatt.
When the smoke alarm went off, the staff members informed the fire brigade office situated across the road and hydration pumps were activated. While fire extinguishers present in the ward were immediately used, all the beds in the ward were pulled out to be shifted to other rooms. “But it was only with the fire brigades’ hydraulic pumps that the fire was doused,” said Bhatt.
The smoke, however, reached the neurosurgery department. “The third operation scheduled for the day in the department was about to be over when the fire broke out. Immediately, operated patients as well as those from the ICU were shifted, as the smoke had started filling the chambers,” said Bhatt.
The patients from the affected wards were accommodated in other units. Services were regularised within few hours in emergency ward 2, which has 25 beds, he said.
“Due to central air-conditioning, the smoke quickly spread to other parts of the building. The glasses of the emergency ward and the ICU of the neuro surgery department were broken. Medicines for daily use were stored in the room where the fire originated. Thus, we suffered damage worth a few thousands of rupees,” said Bhatt.
–Agencies