Patna Medical College Hospital Experiences Two Separate Fire Outbreaks on Friday
Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) faced a concerning day on Friday as fire broke out twice within the hospital premises. The incidents, which occurred in the afternoon, resulted in damage to documents and some equipment but, fortunately, no patients or staff members were injured in either event.
First Fire Incident in Pathology Department Around Noon
The initial fire erupted at approximately noon in the hospital's pathology department. Flames quickly spread across a significant section of the unit, causing alarm among hospital personnel. According to PMCH superintendent Dr. Rajiva Kumar Singh, only a few patients were present in the department at the time, primarily those who had come for biopsy and bone marrow tests. All individuals were safely evacuated without any harm.
Dr. Singh stated, "Some old documents were destroyed in the fire, but our team managed to bring the situation under control in a timely manner. Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was caused by a short circuit in the electrical system."
Second Fire in Old Gynaecology Department in the Afternoon
Later in the day, around 4:30 PM, a second fire was reported in the old gynaecology department of the hospital. Officials clarified that this department had been relocated to a new building just last month, meaning no patients were present in the old unit when the fire broke out. This fact significantly reduced the potential risk to human life.
Dr. Singh provided further details, explaining that initial findings indicate the fire may have started due to entangled wires during the shifting of materials from the old unit to the new location. The combination of old wiring and moving equipment likely created a hazardous situation.
Damage Assessment and Hospital Response
Both fire incidents were successfully controlled by hospital staff and emergency responders, with no casualties reported. The damage was primarily limited to:
- Destruction of old medical records and documents
- Damage to some hospital equipment
- Minor structural impact in the affected areas
Importantly, patient care services remained unaffected throughout the day, with hospital operations continuing normally in other departments. However, the back-to-back nature of the fires has raised significant concern among hospital administration and staff regarding safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance.
Safety Concerns and Future Precautions
The consecutive fires at one of Bihar's premier medical institutions have highlighted potential vulnerabilities in hospital safety systems. While short circuits and electrical issues are common causes of such incidents, their occurrence in a healthcare setting is particularly alarming given the presence of vulnerable patients and critical medical equipment.
Hospital officials have assured that a thorough investigation will be conducted to determine the exact causes of both fires and to implement stronger preventive measures. The incidents serve as a reminder of the importance of regular electrical maintenance, proper wiring during departmental shifts, and robust fire safety protocols in healthcare facilities.
