Virology dept, samples gutted
A major fire broke out on the second floor of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) building that houses the teaching block here on Saturday evening. Though no casualty was reported, officials said the blaze destroyed samples and medical reports.
Authorities at AIIMS closed the adjacent emergency department as a precautionary measure. Patients from some floors of the AB ward, close to the Microbiology department where the blaze started around 4.50 pm, were evacuated along with those in operation theatres above it as the smoke spread, they said, adding the fire was doused within two hours.
The Microbiology department’s virology unit has been completely gutted, sources said.
Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the cardio-neuro centre, housed in a different building in the complex. And he is safe there, sources said.
According to Atul Garg, Chief Fire Officer of Delhi Fire Services, a call regarding the fire was received around 4.50 pm following which 34 fire tenders were rushed to the spot.
“The fire was brought under control around 6.30 pm,” said Garg. “The exact reason behind the fire is yet to be ascertained. Initial investigation suggests short-circuit to be reason behind the fire,” said a fire official.
