A fire broke out on Monday at the emergency ward building of the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi, triggering immediate evacuation protocols to ensure the safety of patients and medical staff. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident, which saw the prompt response of Delhi Fire Services and other emergency personnel.
The Delhi Fire Services (DFS) received a distress call from the AIIMS emergency ward around 11.54 am, leading to the dispatch of eight fire tenders to the scene. Swift action by fire responders led to the containment of the fire by 12.50 pm, followed by search operations to ascertain the extent of the situation.
The blaze originated on the second floor of the six-storey main building, specifically in the old Rajkumari Amrit Kaur out-patient department (endoscopy unit under the department of gastroenterology). Despite the challenges posed by the locked store room where the fire began, diligent efforts by AIIMS Fire Services and Delhi Fire Services personnel aided in swift control of the situation.
Delhi Police and fire department officials are now working to determine the cause of the fire, which is currently unknown. AIIMS released a statement detailing their response to the incident, including the orderly evacuation of patients and the transfer of 31 patients from the AB-2 ward to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and AB-7 ward. An additional 70 patients from the emergency area were also safely relocated to other facilities within the institution.
AIIMS Director, Dr M Srinivas, was present on-site to oversee the evacuation process and ensure the well-being of patients and staff. The immediate response of AIIMS personnel, Delhi Police, and other emergency services played a pivotal role in containing the fire swiftly, preventing any casualties or injuries.
Witnesses at the scene, such as Kamala Madan, attested to the orderly evacuation process. “We saw a lot of smoke coming out of the building and then suddenly people started rushing out of the building. There was a lot of commotion but I do not think anyone was stuck inside; all were safely evacuated in time,” Madan stated.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Chandan Chowdhary, confirmed that the area was cordoned off upon police arrival, supported by a robust emergency response team comprising fire tenders, police vehicles, and ambulances. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, as authorities work to determine the root cause and prevent future incidents.
As AIIMS continues its efforts to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of its patients and staff, the incident serves as a reminder of the crucial role played by prompt emergency response measures.
Sources By Agencies
