Hospital fire tests safety compliance

70 people evacuated from LGH

LAHORE:

Despite repeated warnings and promises of improved safety protocols, a fire incident at Lahore General Hospital on Tuesday intensified concerns regarding prevention of such emergencies.

The fire broke out in the Gynaecology Ward, according to an eyewitness, after a short circuit in the ceiling wiring, causing smoke to spread in the ward where pregnant women, newborn babies and other patients were present.

In the ensuing panic, several pregnant women were forced to flee the ward on their own.

Around 70 people were evacuated from the building.

A security guard reportedly suffered health complications due to smoke inhalation and was shifted to the emergency department for treatment, where officials said his condition was stable.

Fire incidents reported at healthcare facilities in the province in recent years highlighted vulnerabilities linked to electrical systems, maintenance, overloaded power infrastructure and emergency response mechanisms.

According to hospital officials, the fire immediately triggered emergency response by trained staff members. Employees who had undergone fire safety training acted within moments, using portable fire extinguishers to stop the flames from spreading.

Lahore General Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Faryad Hussain said investment in staff training had proved decisive in preventing a tragedy.

"The fire safety training provided to our staff proved highly effective. Our trained employees responded immediately and successfully extinguished the fire using fire extinguishers without requiring assistance from any external firefighting agency," he said.

He said the coordinated efforts of doctors, nurses, technicians, administrative staff and support personnel had ensured that the emergency remained under control throughout the operation.

"The entire Lahore General Hospital team worked with remarkable professionalism and coordination, enabling us to completely control the situation before it escalated," he added.

Dr Hussain confirmed that no patient, attendant or employee had suffered injuries in the incident.