A fire suddenly broke out inside the ceiling of the Doon Hospital OPD building. Preliminary investigations suggest that a short circuit was the cause of the blaze. Fortunately, no major damage occurred. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the fire was brought under control within approximately 15 minutes. This is not the first time that fire-related incidents have been reported at the hospital.
According to reports, the incident occurred around 10:00 AM on Saturday. As usual, patient registration for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology was underway on the first floor of the OPD. During this time, staff members seated behind the counter suspected a short circuit occurring inside the ceiling above them. When they looked through a section of the ceiling, they saw flames rising from within. The staff members immediately alerted the firefighters and security personnel.
Concurrently, senior hospital officials were informed of the incident. Subsequently, the power supply to the area was cut off. A large contingent of firefighters then arrived at the scene. Acting with presence of mind and efficiency, they quickly brought the fire under control. It is reported that the fire was caused by water leakage resulting from AC condensation inside the ceiling at the specific location where the blaze erupted.
**Patients Evacuated**
According to eyewitnesses, patients waiting outside the counter for registration were immediately evacuated to the lower floors following the outbreak of the fire. Additionally, movement of other patients within that specific area was restricted. At the time of the incident, more than a thousand patients were present in the hospital.
**Previous Fire Incidents at the Hospital**
This is not the first fire-related incident to occur at Doon Hospital; the facility has witnessed several such incidents in the past. Recently, a fire broke out in the hospital’s Radiology Department, resulting in damage to several machines. Furthermore, a fire recently occurred inside the canteen located near the old hospital building; on that occasion, staff members had to break down the door to extinguish the flames. In fact, more than ten such incidents have been reported at the hospital within the last six months alone.
Upon receiving the report of the fire, the firefighters arrived promptly and quickly brought the situation under control. The causes of the incident are being investigated. Instructions have been issued to inspect all electrical wiring in the hospital.
