Fire at Sassoon General Hospital, no casualties

Pune: Sassoon General Hospital in Pune reported a minor fire incident early Monday morning in the male general ward, prompting the evacuation of around 70 patients as a precautionary measure. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported and the fire was quickly brought under control.

As per the news reports, the incident occurred at approximately 4:45 a.m. in the sister’s room located on the ground floor of a ground-plus-two-storey building. A loft above the room, used for storing ward materials such as books, registers, medicines, and a wheelchair, caught fire.

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Before the firefighters arrived, hospital security staff and employees attempted to control the flames using fire extinguishers. However, by the time firefighters reached the ward, smoke had spread in the area.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Fire Officer Vijay Bhilare said the hospital’s existing fire safety systems and the quick response by staff helped prevent the fire from spreading. “We received the call early in the morning and immediately rushed to the spot. Three fire tenders were sent as a precaution. The nurses and staff had already started dousing the flames using fire extinguishers, which helped contain the fire,” he said.

Firefighters later laid a hose line and used jet and spray water to completely extinguish the flames. Ventilation systems and exhaust blowers were also used to clear the smoke and improve air circulation in the ward.

At the time of the incident, around 70 patients were admitted to the ward. All of them were safely evacuated and shifted to other wards within the hospital premises as a precautionary measure.

Dr. Yallapa Jadhav, medical superintendent of Sassoon Hospital, confirmed that the patients were shifted to other wards as a precaution. “All patients from the affected ward were shifted to different wards immediately to ensure their safety. The ward will now undergo deep cleaning, and the patients will be shifted back in a couple of days,” he said, reports Hindustan Times.

Officials described the incident as minor and credited regular fire safety drills and training for helping hospital staff respond effectively. Preliminary findings suggest that the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit, although the exact cause will be determined after a detailed investigation.

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