A fire broke out on Saturday in the emergency ward of the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) located in Punjagutta, Hyderabad, causing panic among patients and staff. The incident occurred on the fifth floor of the hospital building, reportedly due to a suspected short circuit. Though there were no casualties, the fire led to damage to medical equipment and temporarily disrupted emergency services. Eyewitnesses quickly alerted the hospital management, who in turn contacted the fire department for immediate assistance.
Firefighters arrived at the scene with a fire engine and managed to bring the flames and smoke under control before it could spread to other parts of the hospital. Hospital staff and first responders worked swiftly to ensure the safe evacuation of patients and medical personnel from the affected ward. Authorities praised the rapid response of the fire control team, which helped prevent a potentially more severe situation. The extent of the damage is yet to be fully assessed, with hospital administration set to evaluate the loss of equipment and infrastructure.
This incident has raised concerns about fire safety measures in major public hospitals like NIMS, which cater to thousands of patients daily. In the wake of the fire, officials are expected to conduct a thorough inspection of electrical systems and emergency protocols throughout the facility. The health department may also issue updated fire safety guidelines to prevent similar incidents in other hospitals across the state.
