Fire claims woman’s life at Pretoria hospital
According to the Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba, 17 other patients were rescued safely with no injuries.
A patient, who had been admitted for only four days to the psychiatric ward at a north of Pretoria hospital, lost her life when a fire broke out on Monday evening.
The 35-year-old female patient died as the fire reportedly broke out at the ward at Dr George Mukhari Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa.
Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, said one patient died after being admitted to the hospital on June 20.
“She was placed in a seclusion room [on June 24], as part of her prescribed treatment,” said Modiba.
“At around 18:35, a smouldering small fire broke out from the seclusion room,” he said.
Modiba said 17 other patients in the unit were safely removed and temporarily relocated to a different wing of the psychiatric department as a precautionary measure.
He said the cause of the fire was not yet known.
“The department wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the patient’s family as they mourn the sudden passing of their daughter,” said Modiba.
He said the victim’s family and the other patients who survived would receive counselling.
According to Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Charles Mabaso, firefighters responded to the scene at 18:44 on Monday.
He said upon arrival, firefighters found that hospital staff had already extinguished the fire using portable fire extinguishers, however despite their efforts one patient tragically succumbed to her injuries and was declared dead on the scene.
“A female patient aged 35 years suffered burns inside the ward and unfortunately lost her life.
Mabaso said however the Tshwane EMS safely evacuated nineteen female patients to another ward, with no reported injuries,” he added.
Mabaso said firefighters conducted ventilation operations to clear the ward of smoke.
He said the scene was handed over to the police for further investigation.
ALSO READ: Pretoria West Crematorium to be completed by December
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
