Fire breaks out at medical college hospital in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram

Patients being rushed out of the block of Government Ramanathapuram Medical College Hospital where a fire broke out on Wednesday night.
| Photo Credit: L. Balachandar

A fire broke out in a panel room on the second floor of a block of Government Ramanathapuram Medical College Hospital on Wednesday night, prompting immediate shifting of patients to safer places.

The fire started in one of the power rooms, and smoke engulfed most parts of the building. Though the fire was extinguished soon by Fire and Rescue Services personnel, the smoke continued to spread through the wards.

To avoid any untoward incident, the hospital staff rushed the patients out of the block on wheelchairs and beds.

District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, who rushed to the hospital, told reporters that initial investigation revealed that an electric short circuit in the panel room caused the fire. “Though it was extinguished, due to the lingering smoke, the patients on the second, third and the fourth floors were shifted. Two patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit were moved to the Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (CEmONC) unit,” he said.

The fire alarm system was alerted and sprinklers released water, containing the fire. Fire and Rescue Service personnel put out what remained of the fire and dispersed the smoke, he added.

He said no causalities were reported.