PICS & VIDEO: Fire at Paarl Hospital contained, no injuries reported

A fire broke out at Paarl Hospital in the Western Cape on Tuesday morning. 

According to the Western Cape Department of Health, the blaze was quickly contained, and no injuries were reported, with only a small part of the hospital affected. 

In a statement, the Department said the incident was handled swiftly by emergency services and hospital staff.

“The fire was quickly contained, and we would like to thank hospital staff, the Drakenstein Municipality’s Fire Services, SAPS, and local law enforcement for their swift and professional response." 

As a precaution, the affected area and its immediate surroundings were evacuated. Patients who were in that section of the hospital were moved to safety without incident.

“Patients impacted by the evacuation were safely moved. No injuries have been reported,” the department said.

Councillor Stephen Korabie, Executive Mayor of Drakenstein Municipality, who was on the scene, provided additional details about the incident.

"What we can see so far is that an electrical cooling unit appears to have caught fire and may have caused the blaze. The fire is now under control. Only one small section of the hospital was affected. The rest of the building is safe."

He reassured the public that patient care continued uninterrupted and urged people not to visit the hospital.

"I want to reassure the community that the fire is under control. We have not seen any fatalities, and we have not seen any serious injuries," said Korabie.

"Please do not come to the hospital. Members of the public coming as spectators delay the process of evacuating and treating patients. Everything is in safe hands."

Officials said an assessment is now underway to determine the full extent of the damage. 

Hospital operations in the rest of the facility continued while authorities secured the scene and began evaluating what repairs may be needed.

Further updates are expected once the assessment has been completed.

IOL News