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Key Points

A devastating fire broke out in Morena District Hospital's old building, forcing an urgent patient evacuation. During the chaotic rescue, a 50-year-old patient named Virendra Karera tragically lost his life after his oxygen mask was dislodged. The fire, potentially caused by a short circuit, was quickly controlled by fire brigades within 10-15 minutes. Despite the hospital having fire safety pipelines, neither alarm nor siren was activated during the emergency, raising concerns about hospital safety protocols.

Key Points: Morena Hospital Fire Claims Patient Life During Chaotic Evacuation

  • Fire erupted in hospital's old building, causing immediate patient evacuation
  • Short circuit suspected as potential cause of blaze
  • 150-175 patients were in hospital during emergency
2 min read

MP: Fire in hospital, patient dies after oxygen mask dislodged during evacuation

Tragic incident at Morena District Hospital where patient dies after oxygen mask dislodges during emergency fire evacuation

"As flames spread rapidly, attendants rushed to evacuate their patients - Deepali Chandoriya, City SP"

Bhopal, April 16

One person was killed as a fire erupted in the old building of Morena District Hospital, engulfing the main operation theatre, burn unit, and surgical ward on Wednesday.

As the flames spread, attendants rushed to evacuate their patients. In the haste, the oxygen mask of a patient came off. Sadly, by the time he was brought out, he had passed away, police said.

The smoke quickly engulfed the gallery adjacent to the surgical ward, prompting the immediate evacuation of patients from the surgical ward and Ward No. 1. Some attendants helped patients to safety, while others removed their drips (intravenous fluid syringe tube) and evacuated on their own.

"As flames spread rapidly, attendants rushed to evacuate their patients. In the chaos, the oxygen mask of one patient dislodged, leading to his tragic death before he could be safely brought out," Deepali Chandoriya, city superintendent of police (SP), told IANS.

The fire caused smoke to fill the gallery adjacent to the surgical ward, prompting an immediate evacuation of patients from both the surgical ward and Ward No. 1. "The fire brigade was called immediately, and they controlled it within 10-15 minutes. No one died or was injured due to the fire," the SP said.

Some patients were assisted by their attendants, while others made their way out independently, removing drips and dragging themselves to safety.

"The fire is believed to have been triggered by a short circuit, however, we will investigate the matter further," the officer said.

The sources said it might have been caused by electrical overload fluctuations.

Emergency services were notified, and the fire brigade arrived promptly, the police officer said, adding, it started at around 5.45 p.m. Fire brigades and hospital staff managed to extinguish the blaze and prevent further escalation.

If sources are believed, while fire safety pipelines were installed in the hospital, neither the alarm whistle nor the siren was activated during the emergency. The hospital housed approximately 150-175 patients.

The deceased patient has been identified as Virendra Karera, aged 50, from Chhoda village. He had been admitted earlier in the morning due to breathing difficulties.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya M.
This is heartbreaking 💔 Hospitals should be the safest places. Why weren't the fire alarms working? Someone needs to be held accountable for this negligence.
R
Rahul K.
The attendants and staff did their best in an emergency situation. It's easy to judge from outside but panic during fires is understandable. My prayers for the deceased.
A
Anjali S.
Electrical overload in a hospital? Don't they have proper maintenance? This was completely preventable. So angry right now 😠
V
Vikram P.
While tragic, I think we should acknowledge the fire brigade's quick response - controlled in 15 mins is impressive. Still, the hospital needs better safety protocols.
S
Sunita R.
That poor man came in with breathing problems only to die this way. His family must be devastated. The hospital should compensate them properly.
A
Amit D.
Respectful criticism: The article mentions the fire safety system wasn't activated. This suggests staff weren't properly trained for emergencies. Regular drills could prevent such tragedies.

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