South Africa: Fire broke out at the National District Hospital at about 15:20 in the afternoon of Sunday, 07 July 2024. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed by the Department of Health.
However, the hospital staff confirmed that the fire started from outside the Paediatric Ward. The fire then caught on the trees and expanded to the first floor and second floor of the hospital.
After this the smoke from the fire started to spread throughout the hospital. The authorities then activated the Hospital Disaster Plan. Patients and Staff were evacuated by the members of the emergency response team of the hospital.
The Premier of Free State MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae visited the hospital to check on the damage caused by the fire. The Premier was accompanied by and her husband Clr. Lawrence Mathae.
Clr Mathae is Speaker of Mangaung Metro Municipality. MEC for Health Monyatso Mahlatsi and MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Ntombizanele Sifuba also visited the hospital.
They thanked everyone who helped in ensuring cooperation between that all Emergency Services. The Fire and Rescue and Disaster Management services were able to work together to ensure patient safety and continuous care
The Department of Health confirmed that they activated Mangaung Metro Fire and Rescue Services and State- and Privately-owned EMS Services after the fire started. The emergency service workers were at the scene shortly afterwards and helped in the evacuation of patients in a safe and organized manner.
According to the Health Department, there were 83 patients in the wards of the National District Hospital. Out of this 23 were transferred to Botshabelo District Hospital.
The 50 patients that remained were temporarily moved to Gateway Clinic for the first aid treatment. Afterwards, they were taken to three different hospitals, Universitas Academic Hospital, Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital and MUCPP.
The security staff of the hospital were able to take the patients out of the hospital before the fire could cause significant harm. The patients who need constant treatment and care were given a priority in the evacuation process.
The department confirmed that there were no deaths or injuries due to this fire.