A fire broke out at the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, affecting the multi-speciality block of the hospital.
According to reports, the incident occurred within the hospital complex on Tuesday morning around 10 am, prompting an immediate emergency response from hospital authorities and fire services.
Preliminary information indicates that the fire originated in a ventilator in the Surgical ICU section of the multi-speciality block, on the first floor, leading to smoke accumulation inside due to the closed environment.
Hospital staff and emergency responders acted quickly to contain the situation and prevent the fire from spreading to other sections of the facility. Fire and rescue teams were deployed to the site to manage the blaze.
See also: ICU Fire at SCB Medical College Cuttack, Odisha Kills 10 Patients
Following the outbreak, patients in the affected areas were evacuated into a new medical ICU that was newly constructed. 33 patients were present in the ICU during the incident and were all successfully shifted into another ward.
Critically ill patients, including those in intensive care, were shifted to safer areas within the hospital or nearby facilities to ensure continuity of care.
No fatalities were reported in the incident. However, some individuals were affected by smoke inhalation and were provided medical attention.
Officials stated that the swift response helped prevent escalation of the situation.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire, and the initial reports indicate a short circuit from a ventilator might be the cause.
Hospital environments, especially ICUs, contain highly sensitive medical equipment, oxygen supply systems, and electrical devices, which can increase fire risk if safety systems fail.
Healthcare facilities are required to follow strict fire safety protocols, including:
Fire detection and alarm systems
Emergency evacuation plans
Regular safety audits and maintenance
Experts note that rapid evacuation and timely intervention and removing the oxygen supply are critical in preventing casualties during such incidents.
Hospital fires, though relatively uncommon, have been reported in different parts of India in recent years. These incidents often highlight the importance of fire safety compliance, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency preparedness in healthcare facilities.
A similar incident was reported just a day earlier at SCB Medical College and Hospital, where a fire in the trauma ICU led to the deaths of 10 patients and injuries to at least 11 staff members during rescue efforts. The blaze, which broke out between 2:30 and 3:00 am, triggered emergency evacuations of critically ill patients, with several fatalities occurring during the shifting process.
(Rh)