Fire at Rajiv Gandhi govt hospital; Ma Subramanian, Radhakrishnan rush to spot

Chennai: Fire broke out at medical equipment storage room at the back side of tower 2 of Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on Wednesday. The fire was triggered by a possible short circuit that later led to explosion of oxygen cylinders kept in the room. No loss of life has been reported so far.

Health Minister Ma Subramanian and Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan visited the fire accident spot now. Four vehicles of Fire and Rescue Department are on the spot for extinguishing the fire.

"Nursing staff of RGGGH immediately moved the 33 patients, including three from the ICU, out from the neurology ward in the second tower of the hospital, where the fire broke out. Also, 10 cylinders were taken out from the ward," said Ma Subramanian.

Since it is an old building, majority of the patients were admitted to new block for neuro treatments, the Health Minister said. All the patients have been rescued and there is no loss of life or injury reported.

The minister added that this was something unexpected and there was no loss of life. We are unsure of the cause of the fire and once the fire is extinguished, we will know the reason for the same, he added.

Minister Ma Subramanian at the spot.

Health secretary Radhakrishnan with Ma Subramanian at the spot of the accident.