 Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 8: Panic gripped Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here late Friday evening after a mysterious fire broke near ward 2 of the hospital, gutting some old bed sheets. The incident has exposed the faulty fire management system of the hospital. GMCH medical superintendent, Dr Ravinder Rattan Pall claimed that the fire broke out due to the cigarette and 'Bidi' butts that were found near the bathroom of the ward. "All patients are safe and fire is under control. Only used bed sheets and other used material are gutted in fire, "he added. Cigarette butts were believed to be cause of the fire which was brought under control by three fire tenders that were pressed into service. The incident took place after 9 pm. The fire broke outside ward No 2, but the fire-fighting systems, which have been installed after spending crores of rupees, could not be activated in the absence of the trained staff.
Moreover, patients and attendants, who were admitted in ward 2, were seen running to save themselves. The smoke also gradually spread to other wards of the hospital, spreading panic there too. Later, three fire tenders doused the flames. |
