Fire hits part of Philippine General Hospital

A part of the government-run Philippine General Hospital (PGH) was hit by fire early Sunday morning, according to a report on Super Radyo dzBB.

The second alarm was raised as of 12:58 a.m., according to the Bureau of Fire Protection-National Capital Region. Some occupants were evacuated.

The fire was said to have started at the linen room on the third floor of the hospital located along Taft Avenue in Manila past 12 a.m.

Senator Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), in a social media post, said personnel from the PRC responded to the fire incident.

UPDATE. A total of 6 @philredcross ambulances are currently at PGH with 32 responders. We are on standby to immediately deploy assets and manpower as needed.

I hope the situation won't get any worse. Praying for everyone's safety.

— Richard J. Gordon (@DickGordonDG) May 15, 2021

The Bureau of Fire Protection-Manila declared the fire under control by 2:46 a.m., according to a report by Olan Bola on Super Radyo dzBB.

PANOORIN: Sitwasyon sa Philippine General Hospital matapos sumiklab ang sunog ngayong madaling araw; sunog under control na as of 2:46 AM ayon sa Manila Fire Department | @olanbola @gmanews @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/OKPFNHFWXp

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 15, 2021

However, smoke was still seen in the wards.

The fire was declared put out at 5:41 a.m., according to a report by Rod Vega on Super Radyo dzBB.

FIRE UPDATE: Sunog sa isang bahagi ng Philippine General Hospital, naapula na. | via @Rodveg72 pic.twitter.com/bf6Jqc24Hb

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) May 15, 2021

No one was hurt in the fire.

Fire Chief Inspector Hector Agadulin, chief of operations of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Manila, said part of the operating room was affected by the fire.

PGH spokesperson Dr. Jonas Del Rosario however, said the operating room sanitization area at the Central Block Building, and not the operating rooms themselves, was the one affected by the fire.

Agadulin said patients may now be brought back to their rooms. However, Ward No. 14 which is right below the area affected by the fire still has no electricity at this time.

Agadulin ordered that exhaust fans be placed to help drive out the smoke.

Vice President Leni Robredo posted on social media appealing for "anyone with big, industrial fans."

Appealing to anyone with big, industrial fans who would be willing to lend them. PGH urgently needs them to dissipate the smoke that enveloped the hospital due to the fire. Thank you.

— Leni Robredo (@lenirobredo) May 15, 2021

"PGH urgently needs them to dissipate the  smoke that enveloped the hospital due to the fire. Thank you," she added.

TINGNAN: Sunog sa bahagi ng Philippine General Hospital, kasalukuyang nasa ikalawang alarma.

COURTESY: Manila Tondo Fire and Rescue Volunteer Inc. pic.twitter.com/kxZKmeZ1Bp

— GMA News Breaking (@gmanewsbreaking) May 15, 2021

The BFP is still conducting an investigation as to the cause of the fire.

It added that damage is estimated to reach more or less P300,000.

The Manila Public Information Office meanwhile said 12 patients from PGH were brought to Sta. Ana Hospital.

NEWS ALERT: Sta. Ana Hospital receives 12 patients from Philippine General Hospital (PGH) after a fire hit the PGH operating room supply area.

No injury and casualty reported in the fire incident as of latest reports.#AlertoManileno pic.twitter.com/vwh2Mj4tZ0

— Manila Public Information Office (@ManilaPIO) May 15, 2021

Del Rosario said these were newborn babies who need to be placed in the nursery.

More than 500 patients were evacuated. A total of 156 patients are COVID-19 cases and were isolated to prevent transmission of the coronavirus to other patients, according to a report on News TV Live on Sunday.

The PGH spokesperson said the hospital's emergency room will be closed and no admissions will be accommodated on Sunday following the fire incident.

A call for donations was made for linen and oxygen tanks, among others, to help PGH. —BAP/KG, GMA News