News24 | Patients evacuated after fire erupts at Phuthuloha Hospital in Free State

A fire broke out at the Phuthuloha Hospital in Free State on Tuesday. (Supplied/Department of Health)

Eleven patients were evacuated when a fire broke out at the Phuthuloha Hospital in Ficksburg, Free State, on Tuesday.

Provincial health spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the fire allegedly started in the seclusion room while there was one patient inside.

“There were 11 patients in the hospital who had to be evacuated to avoid the risk of smoke inhalation,” he said.

“Four female patients and three children are being relocated to Clocolan’s JD Newberry, three male patients [will be relocated to] Ladybrand’s Senorita Nhlabathi Hospital and one male patient [to the] Dihlabeng Regional Hospital.”

Mvambi said all patients and staff were accounted for and no injuries were reported as result of the fire, which has since been extinguished.

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He said the cause of the fire was being investigated. 

“The Free State Department of Health thanks the speedy response of the officials on duty who used the fire extinguishers at the hospital to quell the fire. Many thanks also go to the municipal fire brigade and EMS [emergency medical services] which responded timely to ensure that the situation was brought under control.”

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