Unforeseen fire incident
In a sudden turn of events, PGIMER's Advanced Eye Center in Chandigarh faced a major fire incident on Monday morning at 9:25 AM, causing widespread panic and chaos.
Fire originated in UPS Battery Room
The fire ignited in the UPS battery room, situated in the center’s basement. This unexpected fire outbreak necessitated an immediate response.
Swift action by Fire brigade
Upon discovering the fire, the fire brigade was promptly summoned to combat the flames. Their swift action and expertise were crucial in mitigating the situation.
Impact on medical services
As a result of the fire, the center had to suspend all planned operations for the day. However, the Outpatient Department (OPD) services have bееn restored, and patients will be rescheduled for their surgeries.
High patient influx
The incident unfolded on a Monday after PGI had half-day operations on Saturday and was closed on Sunday. This led to a higher-than-usual patient influx on Monday.
Precautionary measures
To ensure the safety of patients and staff, the OPD was immediately evacuated upon detecting the fire. The glass windows were broken to release smoke, preventing its spread throughout the facility.
Fire control and investigation
It took approximately one and a half hours to fully control the fire. Preliminary investigations suggest a short circuit by rats that allegedly cut wires as the likely cause. However, a comprehensive inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause.
Minimal patient impact
Fortunately, no patient’s were reported to have suffered injuries during the incident. Their safety remained a top priority during the fire.
Previous Hospital fire
This incident comes shortly after a devastating fire at Nehru Hospital's 'C' block on the night of October 9th. Patients were safely transferred to other hospital areas, and multiple were affected.