Bannu hospital fire contained after electric spark, no casualties reported
The fire started at around 10 am on Monday, according to hospital officials. Initial information suggested that an “electric spark” may have caused the incident.
Rescue 1122 teams reached the hospital about five minutes after receiving the emergency call. Rescue officials said the fire was brought under control within around 10 minutes.
Hospital staff acted quickly to move patients away from the affected ward. Rescue workers then worked with hospital employees to stop the flames from spreading to other parts of the building.
Patients moved to safety
Mohammad Noman, a spokesperson for the hospital, said the quick response helped prevent the situation from becoming more serious. He said staff members had received special training to deal with fire emergencies.
The training was provided after a recent fire incident at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad. Hospital officials said the lessons from that incident helped staff respond more quickly when the fire broke out in Bannu.
“That training was put into practical use during today’s incident,” Noman said.
He added that the staff’s preparation, fast response and cooperation with rescue teams played an important role in protecting patients and limiting the damage.
The hospital, also known as Medical Teaching Institution (MTI) Bannu, did not report any deaths or injuries from the fire. Officials are expected to assess the affected area and determine the exact cause of the incident.
Fire safety concerns after recent hospital incidents
The Bannu incident comes less than two weeks after a deadly fire at Pims in Islamabad. That incident resulted in the deaths of 14 infants and raised serious questions about fire safety and emergency response in hospitals.
The Islamabad tragedy triggered public concern and calls for stronger safety arrangements. Authorities in several provinces have since increased attention on emergency preparedness and fire response procedures at medical facilities.
The incidents have also highlighted the risks faced by patients who cannot quickly leave hospitals during emergencies. Patients in intensive care, operating theatres and other specialised wards can require additional support during evacuations.
In Bannu, officials said the situation remained under control because patients were moved out quickly. The response also prevented the fire from spreading further inside the hospital.
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Similar fire reported in Punjab
Another hospital fire was reported on Saturday at Sheikh Zayed Medical College Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan. The fire started inside an operating theatre while a surgical procedure was underway.
Doctors and paramedical staff immediately stopped the procedure and moved the patient to a safer location. The incident was reportedly linked to faulty electrical wiring.
The recent incidents have placed greater focus on electrical safety in hospitals. Faulty wiring, electrical sparks and overloaded systems can create serious risks, particularly in buildings with large numbers of patients.
Hospitals also need trained staff, working fire equipment and clear evacuation routes. Quick decisions during the first few minutes of a fire can make a major difference.
