Fire at Chettinad Hospital

Patients shifted; short-circuit in AC cited as cause

20/04/2019: Smoke billowing from the fire ravaged hospital building on Saturday morning. Photo: Handout_E_Mail

A fire broke out at the Chettinad Hospital complex in Kelambakkam in the early hours of Saturday.

At 4.15 a.m., the fire broke out on the first floor of the main building of the complex. The staff alerted the police control room for assistance and Kelambakkam Police Inspector M. Pandi, along with other personnel, rushed to the spot, besides alerting the fire control.

Fire doused

The Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed from Siruseri, Maraimalainagar, and other areas. By the time they reached the spot, the staff of the hospital had shifted over 20 patients from the floor. Using skylifts, the fire fighters doused the fire after more than an hour. The glass windows were demolished to bring the fire under control, the police said.

A short circuit in an air-conditioner in the pharmacy caused the fire, the police added. Pharmacy products and medical equipment were gutted, said sources.