Panic at AIIMS Delhi as fire breaks out; patients, staff evacuated

From the AB-2 ward, which is a gastrointestinal (GI) ward, six ICU patients were shifted to the medicine ward. Out of these six persons, four of the ICU patients were on oxygen support. Patients on ventilators were also moved to other wards where beds were available.

While the cause of the fire remained unknown, the AIIMS security and fire control room was informed which initially started dousing the fire.

The officials said a safety audit will be conducted to assess the damage. “Damage assessment is being conducted and resident doctors and staff have been asked to prepare an inventory. Equipment damaged due to water doused by fire tenders will be identified later,” he added.

“The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) also reached the spot 28 minutes after the fire erupted and tended to the fire,” said an official from the institute.

The fire was visible from gate number one of the institute where dense smoke was seen emerging out of the second floor.

8 teams, 50 firemen help put out blaze

According to DFS chief Atul Garg, eight firefighting teams were rushed to the spot: “Over 50 firemen along with hospital staff helped to control the fire. One of the problems was that there were patients in the vicinity. We were dousing the fire and also making sure all patients nearby were rescued or removed in time. Another challenge was that the area inside was a bit congested. We still managed to get in and work.”

The hospital also sent a team to help with the firefighting operation, said officials.

Santosh Kumar, a firefighter at the spot, said, “The fire started from a storeroom or an in-house medicine storage place. Due to medicines and medical equipment, the fire spread to the entire floor sooner. We had to rush patients to other floors and buildings. Luckily, nobody was hurt and we were able to stop the fire in time. We also conducted an intensive search operation to ensure everyone got out safely. At the time of the fire, there was low visibility and we didn’t know how many people were trapped on the floor.”

The DFS said the hospital’s fire safety equipment was working but the fire had spread to other rooms, and the staff “panicked” and started running.