A swift and efficient response by staff and fire services averted a potential disaster when a minor fire broke out at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam on Saturday morning. The incident, which caused significant smoke but no injuries, led to the safe evacuation of dozens of patients from the cardiology block.
Timely Response Averts Major Crisis
The emergency began at approximately 9:30 am on Saturday within the hospital's cardiology department. According to Dr. I. Vani, the KGH Superintendent, staff first noticed smoke coming from the Dr NTR Vaidya Seva Trust office located inside the cardiology block. This immediate identification triggered the hospital's emergency protocols.
Acting quickly, the hospital staff first ensured the electricity supply to the block was cut off to prevent any electrical hazards. The primary challenge was the density of the smoke, which necessitated the urgent relocation of all patients from the area.
Coordinated Evacuation and Patient Safety
In a well-executed operation, a total of 43 patients from the cardiology block were moved to safer sections of the hospital. The patients were relocated to the gynaecology block, the family planning ward, and other wards situated directly opposite the cardiology department.
Dr. Vani highlighted the invaluable cooperation from all departments, stating, "The cooperation of all nursing, sanitation, and security staff in relocating the patients was invaluable." Thanks to the combined efforts of the KGH staff and the Visakhapatnam fire service personnel, the blaze was confined to a single room and was completely brought under control within 45 minutes of its discovery.
Swift Return to Normalcy
By noon on Saturday, the situation had fully stabilized. With the fire extinguished and the area secured, all evacuated patients were safely returned to the cardiology ward. Hospital authorities confirmed that all cardiology services are now functioning normally.
In the aftermath, KGH officials formally appreciated the critical roles played by K Durga Prasad, the sanitation supervisor, and V Vinay Kumar, an oxygen technician. Their prompt actions were instrumental in preventing a minor incident from escalating into a major mishap, ensuring the safety of all patients and staff.
