A fire erupted in the operation theatre of a prominent children's hospital in South Delhi on Sunday morning, causing significant alarm but resulting in no casualties due to a remarkably fast emergency response.
Panic and Swift Action in Malviya Nagar
The incident occurred at Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital in Malviya Nagar. According to the Delhi Fire Services (DFS), the alarm was raised around 10:45 am. Crucially, the hospital's location proved to be a lifesaver. Even before an official call was made, an alert passerby ran into the Geetanjali fire station, situated right next to the hospital, to report smoke coming from the building.
Firefighters stationed there rushed to the spot on foot, reaching within two minutes, while fire tenders were also dispatched. Fire operator Bhanwar Singh, among the first responders, described the challenging scene. "The staircase was filled with smoke, and it was difficult to move inside. Breaking the window was the quickest and safest way to reach the fire and prevent it from spreading further," he said.
Critical Evacuation During a Delivery
The situation was especially critical as a woman was undergoing a delivery procedure inside the OT when the fire, suspected to be caused by a short circuit in medical equipment, started. Furthermore, several newborn babies were in the intensive care unit (ICU) on the same floor.
Hospital staff and fire personnel acted swiftly to evacuate all patients, including the newborns and the mother, to safer areas. They were subsequently shifted to the hospital's other branch in Panchsheel Park. Fire officials noted that the blaze spread quickly due to the presence of medical equipment and oxygen cylinders, making operations risky.
Investigation and Hospital's Statement
Two fire tenders managed to bring the fire under control within an hour. Officials confirmed that the hospital's internal fire safety systems, like extinguishers and sprinklers, were operational and helped contain the flames. Station officer Nitin stated that the facility had adequate fire safety measures which aided in initial control.
Police have been alerted and an investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause. In a statement, Rainbow Hospitals described it as a "minor fire incident" that was promptly contained by their emergency team. They emphasized that all patients, staff, and visitors are safe and that hospital operations continue normally, reiterating their commitment to stringent safety protocols.
However, this incident has reignited serious concerns about fire safety in hospitals, particularly in critical care areas, coming in the wake of last year's tragic neonatal hospital fire in Delhi that claimed seven lives.
