Fire hits 4 PGH wards, patients transferred

A fire broke out at four wards of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in Manila on Wednesday afternoon.

The BFP said the fire started at around 3 p.m. and escalated to a second alarm at around 3:11 p.m. It was declared under control at around 3:45 p.m. 

At least 13 fire trucks were deployed to respond to the fire incident. 

According to hospital spokesperson Dr. Jonas Del Rosario, affected patients were transferred to other wards and units within the PGH compound.r wards/units in pgh

The Department of Health has alerted other government hospitals in the area to receive transferred patients but the PGH has reportedly advised the department that was able to manage the situation.

"As of 6 p.m., UP-PGH has advised DOH that they are able to manage their patients in the other unaffected wards/rooms. DOH remains on standby should the situation require transfers," Health Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said.

Sumiklab ang sunog sa isang bahagi ng Philippine General Hospital sa Maynila ngayong araw, ayon sa DZBB.

COURTESY: Contributed video pic.twitter.com/C2Okh15Odx

— GMA Integrated News (@gmanews) March 13, 2024

 Del Rosario said the blaze started at the audio-visual room of the Department of Medicine and affected the back portion of Ward 1, as well as Wards 2, 3 and 4.

Patients from the affected wards were evacuated and transferred to other rooms due to the thick smoke.

According to Rod Vega's report on Super Radyo dzBB, some patients were temporarily removed from the area.

They will be allowed inside the hospital after the whole vicinity of the PGH is declared safe, fire authorities added. 

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire. No one was reported hurt from the incident. 

All DOH hospitals in NCR have been alerted and are prepared to accommodate patients, the department said.

Some patients and doctors remained in the evacuation area at the hospital parking lot shortly after firefighters brought the blaze under control.

"In light of Fire Prevention Month, the DOH is instructing all its hospitals to review their fire evacuation plans and conduct risk analyses for fire prevention on their premises," the DOH said.

Traffic along Padre Faura Taft began to ease as the deployed fire trucks left the hospital vicinity. Moderately heavy traffic was experienced in the area due to the fire, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said. —Sundy Locus/NB/RF, GMA Integrated News