AIIMS institutes probe panel to identify causes of trauma centre fire

The AIIMS administration has ordered an inquiry to identify the cause of the fire at the trauma centre and suggest further measures for improvement, an official statement said on Sunday.

According to AIIMS, smoke was noticed at around 5:45 pm in one of the stores adjacent to the Operation Theatre area on the ground floor of the JPNA Trauma Centre (JPNATC) of the hospital.

The staff and doctors of the JPNATC showed alertness and took quick action to douse the fire while alerting the fire safety team of AIIMS and the fire brigade who responded immediately to the call.

"As an abundant measure of precaution, the doctors and staff shifted the patients from the vicinity of the affected area to a safe zone. The situation was brought under control and the fire was doused by the joint efforts of the fire brigade, the fire safety team and staff of AIIMS," the statement read.

The director of AIIMS along with other higher authorities was on the spot and monitored the situation. 

The fire safety measures had automatically kicked into action.

No patients or their attendants were in any way harmed or injured due to the fire incident. 

"There has been no injury to the staff as well. The extent of damage is not yet known and will be assessed later," the statement said.