Adilabad , October 20 — A potential disaster was averted on Sunday when a fire broke out in the storeroom of the district headquarters hospital in Nirmal. Fortunately, no patients were harmed as the flames did not reach the nearby wards. This is the fourth reported fire accident in hospitals across Telangana in 2024, raising concerns over safety measures in medical facilities.
The fire, believed to have been caused by an electric short circuit, broke out in the storeroom located on the first floor of the hospital. Quick-thinking hospital staff immediately alerted the authorities, ensuring the safety of the patients.
Firefighters from the Nirmal fire station arrived promptly and managed to extinguish the blaze within an hour. Though the fire caused some property damage, the value of the loss is still being assessed. The hospital officials expressed relief that no patients or staff members were injured during the incident.
An inquiry has been launched to investigate the cause of the fire. The incident has further raised concerns about fire safety standards in hospitals, as this marks the fourth such fire accident in Telangana’s healthcare facilities this year.
Earlier in 2024, three similar fire incidents were reported in hospitals across the state:
- April 2024: A fire broke out in a private hospital in Hyderabad due to a short circuit, prompting the evacuation of patients.
- June 2024: Another fire occurred in a government hospital in Warangal, where faulty electrical wiring caused minor damage.
- August 2024: A major fire erupted in a private hospital in Secunderabad, leading to extensive property damage, though no casualties were reported.
The recurring incidents have sparked discussions about enhancing fire safety protocols and infrastructure in hospitals to prevent further accidents.
