Rajouri, 18 March – A fire broke out at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Rajouri district on Tuesday, leading to the evacuation of more than 150 patients from the hospital. The incident occurred in the basement of the hospital early in the morning, filling the wards with smoke.
According to Himanshu Gupta, the assistant director of Fire and Emergency Services, the fire was brought under control within one hour, and fortunately, there were no reports of any casualties. Hospital staff and several volunteers acted quickly to help evacuate patients and attempted to extinguish the flames before firefighters arrived.
Three fire tenders were deployed to the scene to manage the situation. An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire.
Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, visited the hospital with his team to assess the situation. He emphasized that restoring normal operations, including outpatient department (OPD) services, is a top priority.
Regarding concerns about the hospital’s internal fire safety mechanisms, Sharma stated that an inquiry will be conducted to address the alleged failures.
The quick response from hospital staff and emergency services helped contain the fire to the basement area, preventing further damage and ensuring the safety of patients and staff.
As the investigation continues, officials are focused on ensuring that the hospital can resume its regular operations as soon as possible.
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