Locals' quick action saves hundreds of lives as massive fire breaks out at hospital in Srinagar
Zee News
As the fire engulfed the building, soon the locals, mainly youths, rushed to hospital premises and started evacuating the patients and the attendants with the help of staff.
Srinagar: A massive fire broke out at a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday (March 5). Huge flames were seen around 9.30 pm in one of the main hospitals in Kashmir– Bone and Joint Hospital— located in the upper town of Srinagar in Barzulla.
In just 30 minutes, the upper two floors of the four-story building were engulfed in fire. At that time around 110 patients were admitted to hospital wards, among which were patients who were operated hours before. Besides, around 22 patients were admitted to the emergency ward, said an eye witness.
He added that it took no time that the whole building was in flames. As the fire engulfed the building, soon the locals residing around the hospital, mainly youths rushed to hospital premises and started evacuating the patients and the attendants with the help of hospital staff till the fire brigade, NGOs and SDRF teams reached the spot. Their combined efforts saved hundreds of patients and medical staff of the hospital, the eyewitness said.
An official said, "Preliminary reports suggest that fire started from Operation Theatre and spread due to explosion of Oxygen cylinders. However, details awaited.”
Around 20 fire brigade teams and half a dozen SDRF teams with police and locals carried out rescue operations for around 3 hours and major tragedy was averted by timely action.
