Fire Breaks Out in Emergency Ward of Raipur's Mekahara Hospital

Raipur | Correspondent: A fire broke out in the emergency ward of the Medicine Department at Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital (Mekahara), the largest government hospital in Chhattisgarh, on Tuesday afternoon, triggering panic among patients, attendants and hospital staff.

The blaze was reported in the emergency ward, prompting an immediate response from the hospital administration. As a precautionary measure, patients were swiftly evacuated from the affected ward and shifted to safer areas. Doctors, hospital staff and security personnel assisted in the evacuation and rescue operation. No injuries or casualties have been reported.

Several fire tenders rushed to the hospital after receiving the alert. After sustained efforts, firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control. Police personnel from Maudhapara police station also reached the spot, while senior officials from the hospital administration, the fire department and the police monitored the situation.

According to preliminary information, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a malfunction or explosion in an air conditioner installed in the emergency ward. However, officials said the exact cause will be determined only after a detailed investigation. The extent of the damage is also being assessed.

Notably, this is not the first such incident at Mekahara Hospital. In an earlier incident, a fire broke out inside an operation theatre after the compressor of an air conditioner reportedly exploded during a surgical procedure. The incident had triggered panic in the hospital, and firefighters had brought the blaze under control after a prolonged operation.