Bandra blaze leaves elderly couple with 50 per cent burns; 8-year-old boy suffers skull fracture; two patients sustained severe burn injuries, while one patient with minor bruises was treated at Bhabha Hospital’s OPD and discharged
The rescue operations are on in Bandra East. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi
A devastating gas blast allegedly triggered the collapse of a ground-plus-two-storey chawl in Bandra East on Friday, injuring 15 people.
Two patients sustained severe burn injuries, while one patient with minor bruises was treated at Bhabha Hospital’s OPD and discharged. “Rehana Ansari, 65, has burns all over her body except her chest and stomach. Though her burns are superficial, her heart condition and diabetes make this a serious case,” said Dr Smit Patel, medical officer at KEM Hospital.
“Her husband, Mehmood Ansari, has more severe burns, 58 per cent, and while he has no comorbidities, his obesity complicates treatment. Both have been cleaned, given full-body cold water baths, and their burns are being dressed systematically,” he added.
A patient being taken to Bhabha Hospital. Pic/Ritika Gondhalekar
Among the 15 rescued was an eight-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries and was shifted to the ICU. “He arrived at 7 am with vomiting and heavy bleeding from his ears and scalp. A CT scan revealed a temporal bone fracture,” said Dr Vinod Khade, medical superintendent of KB Bhabha Hospital.
“No surgery is needed for now since the child is conscious and shows no signs of confusion or memory loss. The condition usually heals on its own in six weeks with close neurological monitoring,” Khade added.
The remaining patients are being monitored for injuries ranging from fractures and minor burns to internal trauma, but are said to be out of danger as of Friday night.
While Bhabha Hospital provided timely primary care, some patients had to be shifted elsewhere for advanced treatment and diagnostics. “We don’t have a CT scan facility, so patients were taken to VN Desai Hospital, which did delay care slightly. However, we ensured prompt ambulance availability,” said Dr Khade.
Patients with serious burns were transferred to KEM. Though its burns unit is under construction, the hospital admitted them as Kasturba Hospital’s burn ward was full. “We didn’t receive any orders to shift them elsewhere. Housing burn patients in regular wards is risky due to infection threats. Until dedicated beds are arranged, we’re doing our best to maintain hygiene and provide optimal care,” said Dr Patel.
Dr Khade added that patients will be discharged once all possible internal injuries and trauma are ruled out.
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No. of people seriously injured
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