Fire breaks out at Thiruvananthapuram govt hospital

A minor fire at Thiruvananthapuram government hospital led to patient evacuations; no casualties reported, situation now under control.

A minor fire broke out at the surgical trauma care unit of the Government Medical College Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram, around 9:45 a.m. No casualties have been reported so far. Doctors and paramedical staff evacuated up to 39 patients from the ward to a nearby one.

The situation caused panic among bystanders and raised questions about the 75-year-old institution’s infrastructure, maintenance and monitoring, and fire and electrical safety.

Thiruvananthapuram City Mayor, V.V. Rajesh, who rushed to the spot, told reporters that the situation is under control. He said doctors noticed smoke emanating from a ventillator unit and immediately evacuated patients.

“At the time of the incidents, there were 39 patients in the ward. Doctors and staff rushed them to a better-equipped ICU with nearly 100 beds on a higher floor. There is no need for any panic. The situation is under control. The patients are stable,” he said.

The Director of Medical Education, Dr Thomas Mathew, told reporters that paramedical staff cut the medical oxygen line to the ventilator after noticing the smoke, stabilised the patients and rushed them to safety. He said the situation was under control. Hospital staff shifted critical care equipment, including monitors, to safety.

Fire and Rescue Department officials attributed the fire to a possible short circuit. They termed the blaze as minor. The Chief Electrical Inspector has ordered an enquiry. The Medical College Police have registered a fire incident. The Health Department has ordered an enquiry.