AIIMS

A significant fire was ignited at the esteemed medical establishment, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, specifically on the second floor of the Old OPD building. This floor accommodates a teaching block and an endoscopy room. In response, all patients have been expeditiously relocated to secure locations. The incident occurred at around 11:45 am, leading to the deployment of 6 fire tenders to the emergency block. AIIMS authorities have verified that no major casualties have been recorded thus far, and all patients have been safely evacuated. As stated by Sanjeev Lalwani, the medical superintendent at AIIMS, Delhi, “The fire incident was reported from the 2nd floor of the old RAK OPD at the endoscopy unit under the department of gastroenterology. After confirming the fire’s location, the control room was informed, and the firefighting team was activated. The AIIMS fire service promptly responded to contain the fire. Thirty-one patients from AB-2 ward were transferred to the ICU and AB-7 ward. Additionally, 70 patients from the emergency area were moved to alternative facilities, and fortunately, no casualties have been reported. Every endeavor is being undertaken to restore normalcy in medical services at the earliest.”Over eight fire tenders have been dispatched by the Delhi Fire Service to quell the blaze. The notification concerning the fire was received at around 11:54 am. A rescue operation is currently in progress at AIIMS. In an initiative earlier this year, directives were issued by the AIIMS administration to ensure compliance with fire safety regulations throughout the summer season across all its departments. Daily inspections have been mandated for critical departments. As a component of its fire safety protocols, the institute has stipulated that laboratory in-charges must ascertain that chemicals prone to ignition are stored in secure locations. In recent years, the institute has borne witness to multiple fire incidents, with the most substantial fire accident taking place in 2019. A fire broke out in the endoscopy room of Delhi’s AIIMS, resulting in the evacuation of patients.