Patient Dies In Fire At Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital

On a sombre Monday evening, a tragic fire incident occurred at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Tshwane. The blaze erupted in the female psychiatric unit just before 7 PM.

The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department’s spokesperson, Charles Mabaso, confirmed that hospital staff had successfully extinguished the fire in the single isolation ward using portable fire extinguishers before firefighters arrived on the scene.

– Advertisement –

Unfortunately, the fire claimed the life of a 35-year-old female patient who suffered burns inside the isolation ward.

She was declared dead by a medical doctor on the scene. Mabaso noted that firefighters conducted positive pressure ventilation to clear the ward of excessive smoke.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Watch| Passengers Evacuated From Burning Putco Bus In Constantia, Roodepoort 

– Advertisement –

Gauteng Health Department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, provided additional context, mentioning that the patient was admitted earlier this month and placed in a seclusion room on the day of the incident as part of her treatment.

A smouldering smoke and small fire broke out at around 18:35, prompting immediate actions to ensure patient safety.

While the fire was swiftly contained and extinguished by the fire brigade, the patient in the seclusion room sustained fatal injuries.

– Advertisement –

Seventeen other patients in the unit were successfully evacuated and temporarily relocated to a different wing of the psychiatric department as a precautionary measure.

Modiba added that the cause of the fire remains unknown and that the incident has been reported to the South African Police Service for further investigation.

– Advertisement –