Sion Hospital to conduct fresh safety audit after AC fire, gas leak incidents

Damage caused by the fire in the X-ray department

Following two safety incidents within a week, authorities at Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital, popularly known as Sion Hospital, have decided to conduct a fresh audit to assess safety systems and maintenance of electrical appliances to prevent future mishaps. "The fire on Tuesday was due to a blast in the split AC installed in the X-ray department. While generally the window AC compressor is the reason for such blasts, in an unusual incident, this time the split AC's main body exploded inside the closed room. We are thinking checking electrical appliances as well as electrical points," said Dr Pramod Ingale, dean, Sion Hospital.

Clean up operation after the incident. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

Civic hospitals typically undergo a mandatory fire audit once every five years. The last audit at Sion Hospital was conducted in August 2023. However, the recent back-to-back incidents have prompted the administration to initiate an additional review. The fire didn't result in any injuries and repair work could take a month to complete.

Official Speak

Ashish Chitre, Assistant security officer, Sion Hospital
Accidents cannot be avoided. However, we have ensured that the extinguishing systems are appropriately in place. Also, because there were fire extinguishers available at the hospital, we could prevent a major mishap, and the fire officials also reached within a few minutes.

Visitor Speak

Hemlata Moghe, A patient's relative
Though the fire was confined to just one room, as the building is an enclosed structure, there was a lot of smoke, and we were afraid because of that. Because of the amount of smoke, relatives of patients admitted here thought it must be a huge fire. But the quick steps taken by the fire officials and also internal security staff helped clear out the smoke within a few minutes. There was inconvenience though, as patients are under recovery.

Staff Speak

Vijaya More, Nurse
It was a regular OPD day when suddenly a noise was heard, and thick smoke started coming out from the X-ray department side. We immediately alerted the security and started informing patients to move out of the building.

A Maharashtra Security Force officer
Some patients and their relatives panicked, started screaming and running. We were able to evacuate them even before the fire brigade officials arrived.

March 31
Incident: Fire
Location: OPD building, OPD 14, ground floor, X-ray department
Cause: Split AC blast
Injuries: None
Medical equipment damage: None

March 24
Incident: Gas Leak
Location: Gate No. 1
Cause: Breaking of gas pipeline during ongoing development works
Injuries: None
Medical equipment damage: None

OPD building dynamics
OPDs: Ground to 3rd floor
Surgical/non-surgical wards: 4th floor and above