A major fire broke out at the Surgical Trauma Care Unit of Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College on Tuesday, triggering panic but resulting in no injuries, hospital authorities confirmed.
Short Circuit in Ventilator Triggers Blaze
According to officials, the fire originated due to a short circuit in a ventilator inside the surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The incident led to heavy smoke inside the facility, prompting swift emergency response measures.
Patients Safely Evacuated Amid Smoke
Hospital authorities immediately evacuated all patients from the first-floor surgical ICU after the blaze was reported. Family members present at the hospital described scenes of dense smoke, raising initial concerns about patient safety.
However, officials reassured that the timely evacuation ensured that no casualties or injuries occurred.
Fire Brought Under Control Quickly
V V Rajesh, who reached the hospital soon after the incident, stated that the fire had been brought under control. He confirmed that all patients and staff were safe.
He further added that all ventilators in the ICU are being inspected as a precautionary measure to prevent similar incidents.
Fire Officials Confirm Situation Stabilised
Fire force personnel reported that while the unit was filled with smoke, proper ventilation measures were carried out, and the situation was stabilised without escalation.
Recent Similar Incident Raises Concerns
The incident comes close on the heels of a tragic fire at SCB Medical College and Hospital, where multiple lives were lost in an ICU blaze, highlighting ongoing concerns over fire safety in hospitals across India.
Authorities are expected to review safety protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
