JAMMU: Panic erupted in Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC&H), Jammu on late Friday night when patients and attendants saw flames coming out from first floor of the hospital.
According to reports, fire broke-out at GMC’s store room near Ward No. 2 in the first floor of the hospital complex. On seeing flames coming out from the store room, scared patients and hospital staff informed the police and fire services department.
On receiving the information, three vehicles from Fire Brigade reached the spot and controlled the flames after 40 minutes’ struggle.
Though, no casualty has been reported but panic stricken patients along with their attendants were seen moving helter-skelter. People inside the hospital building were seen perturbed due to dense smoke emanating from the store. The situation further aggravated for patients when firemen started dousing operations.
Surprisingly, firemen and police personnel present on the scene found empty liquor bottles and cigarette butts at the spot. It may not be ruled out that the fire which engulfed the store room adjacent to ward was caused due to burning cigarette butt. However, no official statement regarding the cause of fire has been issued till the report came in. Sources pleading anonymity informed that Government Hospitals in Jammu are infamous for similar fire incidents in the past.
They said that in November 2014 and July 2015, similar fire incidents in Super Specialty Hospital had damaged expensive gadgets besides putting life of patients and attendants into extreme danger. Reportedly, people sitting at the helm of affairs did not deem it fit to order a probe in these fire incidents which could have proved as major disasters.