Fire Breaks out at PGI's Cardiac Center OT in Chandigarh during surgery, no casualties reported

A fire erupted in an operation theatre at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh around 1:30 pm on Saturday. This marks the fifth fire incident at the institute in the past five months and the second in 2024. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported.

Cause of the fire and response:

According to Medical Superintendent Vipin Koushal, the fire occurred in operation theatre-2 of the cardiothoracic and vascular surgery (CTVS) ward during a valve surgery procedure for a 70-year-old woman. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but initial reports suggest a short circuit. The patient was promptly shifted to the intensive care unit, and the surgery resumed. The fire control wing of PGIMER responded swiftly, bringing the blaze under control within minutes.

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PGIMER has witnessed several fire incidents in recent times, including two major ones in October last year. One occurred at Nehru Hospital, leading to the evacuation of 424 patients, while the other took place at the Advanced Eye Centre. In both cases, sparking in the UPS batteries triggered the fires. Another fire broke out near the laundry plant in November 2023, though no injuries were reported, and the cause remains unknown.

As a preventive measure, authorities broke glass windows to prevent suffocation during Saturday's fire. Currently, efforts are underway to ensure the functionality of the operation theatres affected by the incident.

Witness accounts:

Witnesses described moments of panic during the incident. Sapna, an attendant from Ludhiana, recalled the smoke-filled operation theatre after her son's surgery. Similarly, Rozi, a resident of Kharar, shared how patients were evacuated to safety during a relative's surgery.

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In conclusion, while no injuries were reported in the recent fire at PGIMER, it underscores the importance of stringent safety protocols and preventive measures to mitigate such incidents in the future.