A major fire at the District General Hospital in Wardha on Tuesday afternoon sent shockwaves through the facility, leading to the swift evacuation of 33 individuals, including ten patients. Despite the panic and the critical failure of a recently installed fire alarm system, the prompt action by hospital staff and emergency services ensured that there were zero casualties.
Timeline of the Critical Incident
The blaze erupted around 1:40 PM on Tuesday in a storeroom situated perilously close to the paediatric ward on the second floor of Building No. 2. The location made the situation particularly critical due to its direct proximity to vulnerable children. District Civil Surgeon Dr. Sumant Wagh confirmed that at least ten patients were present in the nutritional rehabilitation centre when the fire started.
Alarmingly, the hospital's fire alarm system, which sources indicated was installed recently at significant cost, did not activate. Dr. Wagh admitted that the fire-fighting system "did not become fully operational." Hospital employees and local citizens initially battled the flames before the fire brigade arrived, took charge, and successfully brought the blaze under control. Senior police and administrative officers also rushed to the site to oversee the operation.
Structure of the Affected Building and Averted Tragedy
Building No. 2 houses crucial departments: the X-ray and CT scan facilities on the ground floor, the women's surgery department on the first floor, and the paediatric ward on the second floor. Officials stated that a major tragedy was averted solely because the fire was contained swiftly. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
However, the incident has sparked serious concerns and demands from hospital staff for a thorough inquiry into the non-functional alarm system at such a sensitive facility. Deputy Director of Health Services, Shashikant Shambharkar, revealed that patient and child records were stored in the affected storeroom. He stated that the Public Works Department (PWD) would be asked to conduct detailed electrical and fire safety audits to determine the exact cause.
Official Reactions and Calls for Accountability
Deoli MLA Rajesh Bakane, who visited the hospital post-incident, emphasized the need for stringent audits. "Such incidents should not be repeated. If audits are done in hotels, why not in hospitals?" he questioned. He pointed out that many important documents were burnt in the fire and demanded action against those responsible. The MLA also called for an investigation into when the last safety audits were conducted and whether any recommended corrective measures were implemented.
The Wardha hospital fire serves as a stark reminder of the imperative need for rigorous and regularly tested safety protocols in healthcare institutions, where the lives of patients, many of whom cannot evacuate on their own, are at stake.
