A fire broke out in the operation theater of Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Rahim Yar Khan on Saturday, September 5, creating panic among patients and hospital staff.
According to rescue officials, the fire was apparently caused by an electrical short circuit. Smoke spread through parts of the hospital, after which patients inside the operation theater were quickly moved to safer areas.
Rescue teams reached the hospital within about two minutes and started efforts to control the blaze. Officials said the fire was brought under control in around 10 minutes. No casualties have been reported so far.
Rahim Yar Khan Deputy Commissioner Zaheer Anwar Jappa took notice of the incident and asked for an immediate report. He also directed the Assistant Commissioner to visit the hospital, assess the situation and coordinate with the relevant departments.
Authorities said the exact cause of the fire and the hospital’s safety arrangements will be reviewed as part of the investigation. The incident comes days after a deadly fire at PIMS in Islamabad killed 14 newborn babies, raising fresh concerns about fire safety in hospitals across Pakistan.
