A fire broke out at the basement of the AIIMS Trauma Centre on Sunday evening near one of the operation theatres, the Delhi Fire Service said, adding that no causalities were reported.
The fire department received a call at 6.13 p.m. regarding a fire at AIIMS Trauma Centre, following which 24 fire tenders were rushed to the spot, Chief Fire Officer Atul Garg said.
Mr. Garg also said that the firemen, with the help of local police, evacuated patients and other staff members from the upper floors. The fire was brought under control by 8 p.m.
Hospital sources said that patients had to be shifted to another ward and others were evacuated since the smoke had engulfed the ground floor of the building. The electricity supply in the building was cut.
Mr. Garg said that prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out due to electrical short circuit. The exact cause of the fire will be ascertained after analysing a detailed report.
“It was a medium-category fire. Initially, four fire tenders were sent to the spot but after witnessing the situation, more tenders were rushed. The fire was contained before it could spread to the other floors,” said Mr. Garg.
The services at the hospital remained affected till the flames were doused and the area was inspected by a Delhi Fire Services team.
The AIIMS administration, in their statement to the media, said that smoke was noticed in one of the stores adjacent to the operation theatre area on the ground floor of the JPNA Trauma Centre of AIIMS.
The statement says that as an abundant measure of precaution, the doctors and staff shifted patients from the vicinity of the affected area to a safe zone. The situation was brought under control and the fire was doused by the joint efforts of the fire brigade, the fire safety team and AIIMS staff. The AIIMS Director, along with JPNA Trauma Centre Chief and the entire team of AIIMS were on the spot and monitored the situation. The fire safety measures had automatically kicked into action. No patients or their attendants were in any way harmed or injured due to the fire. There has been no injury to the staff as well. The extent of damage is not known yet and will be assessed later, it stated.
The AIIMS administration has instituted an enquiry into the matter to identify the cause of fire and for suggestions on further measures for improvement.
