Short Circuit Suspected; Patients Safely Evacuated Amid Dense Smoke and Chaos
A major fire broke out on Monday morning at the Thuravoor Taluk Government Hospital in Alappuzha district, triggering panic and causing significant damage to medical supplies. Preliminary estimates suggest that medicines worth nearly ₹1 crore were destroyed in the incident.
Fire Erupts in Hospital Storage Area
According to initial reports, the blaze started around 10:30 AM in the storage section located on the third floor of the old hospital building near Thuravoor Junction on the National Highway. A pharmacist was the first to spot the fire and quickly alerted hospital staff, who rushed to respond.
Short Circuit Likely Cause, Probe Underway
Authorities suspect that a short circuit in the air-conditioning system may have triggered the fire. However, hospital officials and police have stated that a detailed investigation will be carried out to determine the exact cause.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Thick Smoke
The first fire brigade unit from Aroor reached the spot within 15 minutes. At the time of the incident, the hospital had 11 dialysis patients, four women in labor, 10 admitted patients, and around 200 outpatients.
Dense smoke from burning medicines created difficulties during rescue operations. Local residents and auto-rickshaw drivers rushed in to help, but hospital authorities restricted access to the affected area due to the risk of explosions.
No Casualties Reported, Situation Brought Under Control
Despite the intensity of the fire and heavy smoke, all patients were safely evacuated, and no casualties have been reported so far. Firefighters eventually managed to bring the situation under control.
Similar Fire Scare Reported Recently in Madhya Pradesh
In a related incident, panic gripped the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College after smoke was reported near the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The incident, later attributed to a short circuit outside the ward, led to anxious moments as parents rushed to secure their newborns.
Rising Concerns Over Hospital Fire Safety
These incidents have once again raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in hospitals across the country, especially in critical care areas where vulnerable patients are at risk. Authorities are expected to review safety protocols to prevent such emergencies in the future.
