Seven people, including a child, lost their lives in a devastating fire at a private hospital on the night of December 12. Several others sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment in nearby hospitals.
The tragic incident occurred at City Hospital, a four-storeyed orthopaedic facility in the Gandhi Nagar area near the Dindigul-Trichy highway in Dindigul district.
தனியார் மருத்துவமனையில் தீ விபத்து.. 3 வயது சிறுவன் உட்பட 7 பேர் உயிரிழப்பு!#Dindigul | #Hospital | #FireAccident pic.twitter.com/jgSTzy6BWn
— PttvOnlinenews (@PttvNewsX) December 12, 2024
According to the police and fire service department, the fire began in the reception area around 9 PM and quickly spread throughout the building, filling it with thick smoke. In the chaos that followed, seven individuals, including a child, tragically lost their lives due to suffocation as the fire and smoke engulfed all four floors of the hospital.
District Magistrate M.N. Poongodi arrived shortly after being informed, stating, “We rescued six individuals trapped in a lift. They suffered from severe suffocation and are currently receiving treatment. At least 29 people, mostly orthopaedic patients, were relocated to nearby government hospitals.”
The deceased have been identified as Suruli (50), his wife Subbulakshmi (45), Mariammal (50), her son Mani Murugan (28), Rajasekar (35), and a young child. Conflicting reports suggest the child was either a girl or a three-year-old boy.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel worked tirelessly for over an hour to bring the blaze under control. District Magistrate M.N. Poongodi commended the swift response and coordinated efforts of the fire, police, and revenue departments in the rescue and evacuation operation. Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister I. Periasamy visited the injured patients, who were relocated to nearby government hospitals. Over 50 ambulances were deployed to transfer 32 patients, including those from the ICU, to safety.
A police team is investigating the cause of the fire, while Tamil Nadu Electricity Board officials have ruled out a short circuit or electrical leak as the trigger. Speculation suggests a malfunction in the reception computer or UPS systems could be a cause.
Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai expressed his condolences on social media, stating, “It is deeply distressing to hear that seven people lost their lives in a fire at a hospital in Dindigul. I extend my heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and urge the Dindigul district administration to provide all necessary support to the victims’ families and ensure the injured receive the best medical care possible.”
திண்டுக்கல் நகரில் உள்ள மருத்துவமனை ஒன்றில் ஏற்பட்ட தீ விபத்தில், ஏழு பேர் உயிரிழந்திருப்பதாக வரும் செய்திகள் மிகுந்த வேதனை அளிக்கின்றன. உயிரிழந்தவர்கள் குடும்பத்தினருக்கு ஆழ்ந்த இரங்கல்களைத் தெரிவித்துக் கொள்கிறேன்.
மீட்புப் பணிகளைத் துரிதப்படுத்தவும், மருத்துவமனையில் சிகிச்சை…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) December 12, 2024
He further urged the district administration to expedite rescue operations and ensure the best possible medical care for the patients relocated to government hospitals. Additionally, he called for establishing proper and suitable alternative treatment facilities for those affected.
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