AC Short Circuit Sparks Blaze In Akola Hospital

Akola: A major fire scare was reported at a private hospital in Ramdaspeth area of Akola on Thursday after an air conditioner caught fire due to short circuit, triggering a blaze in critical care unit (CCU), spreading smoke to intensive care unit (ICU).According to reports, the incident occurred around 1.10pm when an AC unit in the CCU malfunctioned and caught fire. Thick smoke engulfed the room, where two patients were undergoing treatment. Hospital staff acted swiftly and evacuated both patients immediately.The adjoining ICU was also affected as smoke spread through the facility, leading to panic among patients and their relatives. With the help of locals and attendants, hospital authorities shifted all ICU patients to nearby hospitals using ambulances.Fire officials said they received an alert and reached the spot within minutes. "We got a call at around 1.10pm and reached the hospital within five minutes. Our first priority was to rescue patients from the affected CCU area, while another team simultaneously worked to douse the flames," said Manish Kathale, chief of the fire department.He added that the fire was brought under control in time, preventing it from spreading further. Patients in the ICU were also evacuated as a precaution.Hospital director Dr Deepak Kelkar said solar installation work was underway at the facility and main power line had been switched off. "We are investigating how power supply resumed and led to a short circuit. Our immediate focus was on ensuring patient safety. Thanks to our staff, fire brigade, and locals, all patients were safely evacuated," he said.Police also reached the scene and assessed the situation. No injuries or casualties were reported in the incident, which could have turned serious if not for the prompt response.