More than 80 patients had to be evacuated when a major fire broke out at Metro Cancer and Heart institute in east Delhi's Preet Vihar on Saturday evening. The fire led to a stampede-like situation during peak hours; however, no casualties were reported, officials said.
According to senior officials of Delhi Fire Services, it was around 3:20 pm when the fire broke out, sparking panic among the patients and hospital authorities. Twelve fire tenders with Bronto Skylift were rushed to the spot to rescue the patients and workers trapped in the multi-storied building.
"The fire had sparked from the second floor. Our teams rushed in immediately and 54 patients had to be rescued. Many of them were bed-ridden and stretchers were used to move them out of the building. Entire building was smoke logged and search for those trapped continued for long, however, the fire had successfully been contained by 4.50 pm," said Atul Garg, chief fire officer, Delhi Fire Services.
Garg further said, out of total 54 patients rescued by the fire fighters, four were brought down from second floor by ladder, while 3 of them had to be transported through Bronto skylift. Rest of the hospital staff and patients rushed down on their own. No casualties was reported till late Saturday evening, however, search was on till late, he added.
As soon as the fire was reported, local police also rushed to the spot. Apart from fire tenders, 15 CATS ambulances, 15 Metro Hospital ambulances, one QRT from fire department, one traffic staff recovery van and one QRT from the Delhi Disaster Management Authority had also reached the spot to carry out rescue and transfer of patients.
Police said, in all 84 patients were evacuated and were shifted to the Noida branch of Metro Hospital in Sector 11. DCP east Delhi, Ombir Singh Vishnoi, and Kulanand Joshi, DC (East) were also on the spot to supervise the rescue operations.
THE INCIDENT
Around 3:20 pm when the fire broke out, sparking panic among the patients and hospital authorities. Twelve fire tenders with Bronto Skylift were rushed to the spot.
